The Tomahawk Missile’s First Mission Was Over … Iran?

By PAUL IDDON

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The iconic American Tomahawk cruise missile has been in service for 32 years, and it’s still getting tweaks and upgrades. The most modern version — the “Block IV” — can actually change its course mid-flight.

That wasn’t always the case. For most of its history, the Tomahawk was a “fire-and-forget” weapon — meaning its target and route required careful plotting, since there was no way to alter its path after launch.

The missiles first flew into action on Jan. 17, 1991 during the Persian Gulf War. The United States fired 288 Tomahawks during the war — 106 during the opening hours of the air campaign.