How many Tomahawk cruise missiles can an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer carry?

An Arleigh Burke-class destroyer is designed with advanced systems capable of launching various types of missiles, and it has been optimized for versatile naval operations. One of its key features is its ability to carry Tomahawk cruise missiles, which are long-range, all-weather, subsonic cruise missiles used for land-attack warfare.

In particular, a Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class destroyer can carry up to 56 Tomahawk cruise missiles. This capability is facilitated through a combination of vertical launch system (VLS) cells located in the ship’s superstructure and missile storage areas. The 56 missiles provide a significant strike capability, enabling the destroyer to engage multiple targets simultaneously or deliver a focused strike against a single target.

This versatility in payload and operational flexibility is crucial for modern naval warfare, allowing the ship to execute various missions such as land attack, anti-surface warfare, and anti-submarine warfare, making it a formidable platform in the naval fleet. Therefore, the correct answer reflects the operational capabilities and design of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.