Unknown Version of Tomahawk Missiles Used Against Iran

The United States used an unidentified modification of the Tomahawk cruise missile featuring a reverse-swept wing and a black fuselage coating in strikes against Iran.

The War Zone reported on this.

The black coating may reduce the missile’s radar signature. It could be similar to materials used on other modern cruise missiles, including the AGM-158C LRASM.

The missile may represent an upgrade under the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Strike Tomahawk (MST) program, which aims to enhance technical performance and expand operational capability, including the ability to engage both land-based and surface targets.

According to available information, the updated version is equipped with a multi-mode guidance system that may include an infrared seeker.

The missile is also reported to feature a two-way data link, enabling in-flight course adjustments, updated targeting data, and potential retargeting after launch.

Additional support for this assessment comes from unclassified briefing slides released last year by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).

One slide references the MST program alongside a low-resolution image of a dark-colored missile, which may correspond to this modification.

Another notable feature is the reverse-swept wing design. This aerodynamic configuration could improve maneuverability and potentially reduce radar cross-section, making it more difficult for air defenses to detect.

Tomahawk Strikes on Iran

On February 28, Israel and the United States launched a large-scale strike on Iranian territory. Washington deployed dozens of Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Initial strikes targeted sites linked to Iran’s senior political and military leadership. Reports said the offices of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei were hit, along with intelligence facilities, units of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and other security structures.

U.S. officials reported that the operation aimed to increase pressure on Tehran in pursuit of a new agreement on Iran’s nuclear program.
Israeli sources said the following individuals were killed in the strikes:

• Ali Shamkhani – adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader
• Mohammad Pakpour – Chief of the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps)
• Saleh Asadi – head of the intelligence department
• Mohammad Shirazi – head of the Defense Innovation and Research Organization (SPND)
• Aziz Nasirzadeh – Iran’s Minister of Defense
• Hossein Jabal Amelian
• Reza Mozaffari-Nia