The Tomahawk cruise missile

When it comes to war, we can actually say that war times are as old as man. 

Right from Adam, individuals against individuals, communities against communities, countries against countries have one time or the other staged war against themselves for one reason or the other. 

Sometimes, the cause of picking arms and launching military offence against another country might be justified, and sometimes it is not. 

But all in all, there have always been agonies, great disasters, trying moments and sufferings among belligerent. One amazing and funny thing as well about war no matter the enmity or aggression between belligerent, it is still carried out under strict rules and watchful eyes of the UN. 

For instance, during war, chemical weapons are not allowed to be used by any aggrieved party taking part in the war, not matter the circumstance, because it has been seen as unacceptable means or strategy in trying to be triumphant in the process and because of the mode of carnage that comes with it, it has simply been termed as ‘man inhumanity to man’.

I want to use this opportunity to introduce to you a well-known sophisticated ballistic missile that has been used in the past in war times. The Tomahawk cruise missile. 

Though many still don’t know about this sophisticated missile, that is why I want to talk more about it, because there are things that are very unique about this missile that really differentiates it from others. 

Tomahawk cruise missile is a long ranged submarine or ship launched missile. And a cruise missile for the benefit of those that don’t know is a small unmanned airplane that explodes whenever it gets to its target. 

Tomahawk was designed to operate at very low altitude, and it is so powerful that it can get to a range of about 1,000 miles, making it the most sophisticated of all when it comes to that range of target. The more interesting part is that even at such stupendous range, it can be targeted with a high degree of accuracy.

Another interesting features of this man made weapon is that it has the capability to be redirected to alternate target even when it has been launched and can send data back to its commander. 

This is as a result of data from multiple sensors in finding its target.

Tomahawk cruise missiles have been used severally in the past, but it has been redesigned and has even become more sophisticated in recent times. It was first deployed in combat during operation desert storm in 1991. Another recent use of this missile was noticed in the NATO led force against the then Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi in 2011.

We are currently aware of the on-going military offences between the Syrian government and its opposing rebels, and also the alleged use of chemical weapon on the 21^st of August in the conflict that has led to sores of death of innocent civilians. 

This so alleged action has generated international attention, especially from the US which has recently been calling for military action against the Syrian government for the alleged use of the chemical weapon against its people.

Should US eventually strike Syria in the wake of this violence that have threatened the nation for about 2 years now, Tomahawk cruise missile is most likely to be seen in action again by the US forces.