The Tomahawk's unit cost ranges from $750,000 to $1.4 million per missile, depending on the variant and when it was built
A single Tomahawk cruise missile costs between $750,000 and $1.4 million, though the exact figure depends on which version the U.S. Navy is buying and what year the contract was signed. The Block IV variant, the current production model, typically costs around $1.4 million per unit when purchased in smaller quantities. Older variants cost less because they were produced in larger batches decades ago, which lowered the per-unit price through economies of scale.
The price you see quoted in news reports often excludes the cost of the ship or submarine that launches it, the crew training, maintenance, and the infrastructure to support the weapon system. When the Pentagon announces a contract, the total dollar amount includes all of those elements spread across dozens or hundreds of missiles, so dividing the contract value by the number of missiles gives you only a rough estimate of what each one actually costs to manufacture and deliver.
Key Takeaways
- The Block IV Tomahawk, the version in active production, costs approximately $1.4 million per missile when ordered in typical quantities.
- Older Tomahawk variants cost less per unit because they were manufactured in much larger batches over many years, spreading development costs across more missiles.
- The price varies based on production volume, inflation, and whether the contract includes training, spare parts, and technical support alongside the missiles themselves.
- The Navy has used Tomahawks since 1983, so missiles from different eras in the fleet have different unit costs baked into their original contracts.
Why the price varies between $750,000 and $1.4 million
The wide range reflects real differences in how and when the missiles were made. The Block II and Block III variants, produced in the 1990s and 2000s, cost less per unit than the Block IV because the Navy ordered them in much larger batches—sometimes hundreds at a time. When a manufacturer builds hundreds of identical items, the cost per item drops because tooling, engineering, and overhead get spread across more units.
The Block IV, introduced around 2004, includes upgrades like improved guidance systems and the ability to loiter over a target and send back video before striking. These capabilities cost more to develop and manufacture. Additionally, the Navy now orders Block IV missiles in smaller quantities than it did with earlier variants, which means the per-unit cost is higher because development costs are spread across fewer missiles.
Inflation also plays a role. A contract signed in 2015 will have different dollar values than one signed in 2023, even if the missile itself is identical. When you read that a Tomahawk costs a certain amount, the year of the contract matters as much as the variant.
What's included in the official contract price
When the Department of Defense announces a Tomahawk contract, the total dollar amount typically covers more than just the missiles themselves. A contract might include spare parts, technical manuals, training for Navy personnel, integration with ship and submarine systems, and logistics support for a set number of years.
For example, a $500 million contract for 100 missiles does not mean each missile costs $5 million. It might mean 100 missiles at $1.2 million each, plus $200 million for spare parts, training, and support spread across five years. The Pentagon's contract announcements usually specify what is included, but news reports often skip that detail and straightforward divide total cost by missile count, which inflates the per-unit figure.
How the Tomahawk's cost compares to other cruise missiles
The Tomahawk is one of the most widely used cruise missiles in the world, and its cost reflects that maturity. The AGM-158 JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile), a newer air-launched cruise missile, costs roughly $1 million per unit in recent contracts. The Harpoon, an older anti-ship cruise missile, costs around $1.2 million per unit.
International cruise missiles vary widely. Russia's Kalibr cruise missile, used extensively in the Ukraine conflict, is estimated by defense analysts to cost between $500,000 and $800,000 per unit, though exact figures are not publicly disclosed. The lower estimate reflects both older design and lower labor costs in Russian manufacturing. France's SCALP cruise missile (called Storm Shadow in NATO service) costs roughly $1 million per unit.
The Tomahawk's price reflects decades of development, a proven track record across multiple wars, and the cost of maintaining a production line in the United States. Newer missiles with advanced features often cost more; older designs that are still in production cost less.
Why the U.S. Navy keeps buying Tomahawks despite the cost
The Navy has ordered Tomahawks continuously since 1983 because they solve a specific problem: striking targets from far away without putting pilots or ships at when ready risk. A Tomahawk can travel over 900 miles and hit a target within a few meters, which means a destroyer or submarine can launch it from beyond the range of enemy air defenses.
The cost per missile is high, but the alternative—sending a manned aircraft or a ship closer to the target—carries risks that are often more expensive in lives and equipment. A single fighter jet costs $80 million to $150 million, and losing one is a catastrophic loss. A Tomahawk costs roughly 1% of a fighter jet, so even if several are used in a single strike, the cost is lower and the risk to personnel is eliminated.
The Navy also uses Tomahawks for deterrence. Adversaries know that any ship or submarine within range can strike deep inland, which affects how they plan military operations. That deterrent value is not reflected in the unit cost, but it influences the decision to keep the production line open and the inventory stocked.
Production and future costs
Raytheon Technologies manufactures the Tomahawk under contract with the U.S. Navy. Production has continued for over 40 years, with periodic upgrades to the design. The Block IV is the current standard, but the Navy has funded research into a Block V variant with extended range and improved targeting.
As long as the Navy continues to order Tomahawks, the per-unit cost will remain relatively stable—somewhere in the $1 million to $1.4 million range depending on production volume and inflation. If orders drop sharply, the per-unit cost would rise because fixed manufacturing costs would be spread across fewer missiles. If the Navy orders in larger batches, the per-unit cost could fall slightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Tomahawk cost compared to other weapons?
A Tomahawk at $1.4 million is roughly 1% of a modern fighter jet, 2% of a guided-missile destroyer, and 10% of a modern attack helicopter. It is more expensive than a conventional bomb but far cheaper than the platform that delivers it, which is why cruise missiles are often the preferred option for distant targets.
Why do news reports give different prices for the same missile?
News outlets often divide the total contract value by the number of missiles, which includes spare parts, training, and support costs. A $1.4 billion contract for 100 missiles might be reported as $14 million per missile, when the actual manufacturing cost is closer to $1.2 million. Always check what the contract includes before comparing prices.
Has the Tomahawk's cost gone up or down over time?
In inflation-adjusted dollars, the Tomahawk has become more expensive as newer variants have been added. The Block IV costs more than the Block III, which cost more than the Block II. However, in nominal dollars, older missiles from the 1990s appear cheaper because inflation has not been factored in.
Who manufactures Tomahawks and can other countries buy them?
Raytheon Technologies manufactures Tomahawks for the U.S. Navy. The U.S. does not sell Tomahawks to other countries, though some allies like the United Kingdom have purchased them for their own ships. International sales are restricted by U.S. law and foreign policy.