Can Chemical or Bioweapon Warheads Fit Inside a Tomahawk Cruise Missile?

In recent discussions, a recurring question has been whether a chemical weapon or a bioweapon can be fit into the Tomahawk cruise missile. This article delves into the technical aspects and legal implications of modifying these weapons, providing a comprehensive overview.

Technical Feasibility

Technically speaking, it is indeed possible to modify a Tomahawk cruise missile to carry a warhead containing chemical or bioweapons. Considering the missile's payload capacity, even higher-weight chemical agents such as VX (Volatile X) soman or sarin (a nerve agent) can fit within the missile's capacity, as evidenced by the fact that a payload of around 50-100 kg would be sufficient to deliver a significant impact on an airfield.

The Tomahawk cruise missile, designed with a 1000-pound payload capacity, can accommodate chemical agents well within this range. It is designed to carry multiple types of warheads, including conventional, anti-ship, and anti-radar types. The payload can vary from 457 kg to less than 450 kg, which means chemical agents can easily fit inside the designated space without compromising the missile's overall performance or structural integrity.

Legal and Ethical Concerns

However, while it is technically feasible to modify a Tomahawk cruise missile to carry chemical or bioweapons, the implementation of such modifications brings with it significant legal and ethical concerns. The United States, as a signatory to both the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), is firmly committed to the principles and objectives of these treaties. Therefore, under no circumstances are the Tomahawk missiles being used for the delivery of chemical or biological weapons.

The USA's adherence to these conventions imposes strict limitations on the development, production, and use of chemical and biological weapons, as well as the associated delivery systems. Any attempt to modify the Tomahawk missile for the purpose of carrying chemical or bioweapons would be illegal and could result in severe legal repercussions.

The UK, another major user of Tomahawk missiles, is also a signatory to both the CWC and the BTWC. This means that even if the UK might possess Tomahawk missiles, they are not being used for the delivery of chemical or biological weapons. The British military is similarly bound by international law and treaties to uphold the no-use policy of chemical and biological weapons.

Australia, while not yet a user of Tomahawk missiles, is also a signatory to the relevant treaties. As a future user, it is highly unlikely that Australia would deviate from its commitment to international agreements by modifying Tomahawk missiles for the delivery of chemical or bioweapons. Any such act would be met with international condemnation and severe diplomatic consequences.

Conclusion

In summary, while it is technically possible to fit chemical or bioweapon warheads into a Tomahawk cruise missile, the legal and ethical implications make such modifications highly unlikely and illegal. The USA, the UK, and Australia, as signatories to the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, are all committed to upholding their international obligations and preventing the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons.

This article hopes to shed light on the technical and legal aspects of this question, ensuring that discussions around these topics are conducted with a deep understanding of the complexities involved.

Keywords: Tomahawk cruise missile, chemical weapon, bioweapon