U.S. tests ground-launched Tomahawk 

Just over two weeks after the Trump administration withdrew from the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty the U.S. flight-tested a ground-launched cruise missile, previously banned by the accord


Aug 18: U.S. launches Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missile (LACM) from Mark 41 Vertical Launching System. Missile range of 2,500km


Aug 2: U.S. quits INF treaty which banned nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500km


Aegis Ashore Vertical Launcher Enclosure
Uses Mark 41 Vertical Launching System (Mk 41 VLS)

Exhaust system

Mk 41 VLS
Eight launch canisters. Two missiles launched at same time 

Standard Missile 3 
Interceptor destroys missiles with kinetic force of impact

Booster

Tomahawk LACM


Aegis Ashore missile defence systems
NATO countries

GERMANY
Ramstein HQ 
Redzikowo 
POLAND
BELARUS
Moscow
RUSSIA
UKRAINE
ROMANIA
Deveselu

500km 300 miles


Sources: Jane’s Defence Weekly, Raytheon
Picture: Department of Defense
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