Raytheon reports that software improvements to the Tomahawk cruise missile have been validated in testing by the U.S. Navy.

The first test involved the submarine USS Hampton firing a Tomahawk Block IV missile from its vertical capsule launch system. The missile first flew a pre-planned mission until directed to a new target by strike control personnel.

In the second test, a Tomahawk fired from the guided missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain flew a series of pre-planned high-altitude maneuvers before homing in on its target and destroying it, the company said.

"These flight tests demonstrate how Raytheon and the U.S. Navy are working together to enhance this already sophisticated weapon," said Mike Jarrett, Raytheon Air Warfare Systems vice president. "By constantly improving Tomahawk, we are helping to ensure that U.S. and allied warfighters have this critical capability far into the future."

The Tomahawk is a battle-proven sub-sonic weapon system that has been in service with the U.S. Navy since the early 1980s.