90+ Tomahawk Strikes Verified in Operation Epic Fury
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- CSIS estimates 319 Tomahawks were launched within the first week of Operation Epic Fury, which began Feb. 28, 2026
- Naval News compiled a verified tally of at least 90-117 Tomahawk launches from open-source CENTCOM media as of March 27, 2026, noting the true number is likely much higher due to undisclosed platforms and operational security
- USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116) recorded the highest verified count among individual ships, with 20 to 46 Tomahawk launches logged on its bridge
- USS Spruance (DDG-111) launched a black-colored Tomahawk from its forward VLS magazine; the destroyer is equipped with the AN/SEQ-4 ODIN optical dazzling system, per The War Zone
- For historical comparison, Operation Desert Storm (1991) saw 288 Tomahawk launches and Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003) saw over 800, according to CSIS and a 1992 U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings article
- Multiple Arleigh Burke-class destroyers fired Tomahawks from both forward and aft VLS magazines, including USS Bainbridge, John Finn, Mahan, Frank E. Petersen Jr., Delbert D. Black, Milius, Bulkeley, and Pinckney
Why it matters: The verified 90-117 Tomahawk count draws only from footage CENTCOM chose to release publicly, meaning actual expenditure is higher. CSIS's 319 first-week estimate already nearly matches the 288 Tomahawks used across all of Desert Storm, underscoring the scale of munitions consumption in this Iran operation within its opening days.
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