Tomahawk Missiles: A closer look at their usage in Yemen strikes

US officials reported that the United States and Britain have initiated attacks on Houthis-related sites in Yemen. One official mentioned that the operation involved the use of planes, ships, and submarines equipped with Tomahawk missiles.

The Houthi group claims that 73 raids were carried out by US-British forces in the country, resulting in 5 deaths and 6 injuries.

What do we know about Tomahawk missiles?

The American media reported that Tomahawk missiles were fired from ships in the Red Sea and at least one submarine, but the submarines involved in the attack on Yemen were not identified.

The Tomahawk missile is an intercontinental missile that entered service in 1983 and was utilized to target specific, distant locations. Each missile weighs one and a half tons and is fitted with a 450-kilogram explosive charge. It has the capability to be equipped with a nuclear warhead.

Additionally, the BGM-109 Tomahawk missiles are deployed from submarines and large ships, and move toward their objectives at a velocity of 880 kilometers per hour. Depending on the variant, they can travel up to 2,500 kilometers, and their precision is restricted to a few meters. Thanks to its radar guidance system, it is capable of flying at an altitude ranging from 15 to 100 meters above the ground.

The first American war on Iraq saw the initial use of Tomahawk missiles on January 17, 1991.