The U.S. Navy has issued a request for information (RFI) on capabilities that could lead to the development of the Next Generation Land Attack Weapon (NGLAW), a potential successor to the Raytheon [RTN] Tomahawk cruise missile.

The RFI, which was posted online Oct. 28, says the “NGLAW effort will examine potential materiel solutions to be employed from surface ships and submarines against targets” in well-defended areas. The document indicates that the new weapon could be available in about 2030.

A Tomahawk taking to the skies. Photo: U.S. Navy
A Tomahawk taking to the skies. Photo: U.S. Navy

Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has scheduled an NGLAW industry day for Dec. 1. RFI responses are due Jan. 10.

The Navy has fielded the long-range, precision-strike Tomahawk for decades, and more than 2,000 have been fired in combat. The latest variant, Tomahawk Block IV, incorporates satellite communications to allow the missile to be retargeted in flight. In December, Raytheon flew a new seeker on a test aircraft to demonstrate how the missile could destroy moving targets on land and at sea.

Separately, the Navy is evaluating alternatives to the Long Range Land Attack Projectile (LRLAP), the primary projectile for the Advanced Gun System on the new Zumwalt-class destroyer (DDG-1000), according to a spokeswoman for Lockheed Martin, LRLAP’s prime contractor.

“Lockheed Martin is working aggressively to provide the Navy with options in relation to the DDG-1000’s long-range land attack mission,” a company spokeswoman said Nov. 8.

The Navy has slashed the number of DDG-1000s it plans to buy from 32 to three, greatly reducing the number of LRLAPs it needs to arm the fleet. As a result, the projectile’s per-unit cost has skyrocketed, prompting the Navy to look for less expensive options.

The Navy commissioned the first DDG-1000 in Baltimore last month. Built by General Dynamics [GD] Bath Iron Works, the ship is expected to arrive at its homeport in San Diego by year’s end and be ready for deployment in 2018.