The Tomahawk is old tech, but is ejected/propelled from the sub torpedo tube (SLCM sub launched cruise missile) by the gaseous expulsion charge...compressed air. The booster ignites when it arrives at the surface.
A ship launched Tomahawk booser is ignited in the launch tube.
Air launch is done without a booster.
I know that I could be wrong about the booster burn time, because it has been along time since I was involved, but 90 seconds is an eternity for a small booster burn.
Attached is a photo of a Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical Model 324, now a Northrop Grumman product (since they bought us in 1999), that has a much larger booster that only burns for 4.5 seconds. The Model 324 goes from zero knots to booster burnout and jettison at 450 knots in 4.5 seconds! That's what makes me suspicious of the longer burn time figure given on TV. I also know that different propellant grains give different propulsion characteristics, but, I can't remember everything.
The zero length launcher/ground control segment and the launch-recovery vehicle are all that is required ot operate the RPV.
We built 56 of these medium range/altitude photo recon birds for the Arab Republic of Egypt Air Force in the eightys and nintys. I ended up as Chief Engineer on this program in 1999 until my retirement in 2005. From 99 on, it was a modification, provisioning and simulator training program. We have a dedicated Tech Rep in Cairo that operates/oversees the maintenance and other technical issues.
I went to Egypt in 2000 and 2001 for over a month to install and test fly an updated navigation system. What a blast!!. I took the photo that is attached.

Also, the 911 conspiracy theorists' video referenced in this thread gives credit for the Global Hawk (RQ-4A) to Raytheon.

In fact, we at Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical Co. designed, won the contract, beating Boeing, Lockheed, NGC and others. TRA developed, manufactured, produced and delivered the Global Hawk. Ryan is now a part of Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems Sector. Raytheon was a subcontractor. Teledyne Ryan was the prime contractor. The statement made regarding the first flight should be "The Global Hawk accomplished a 6-36-6 flight on the first test flight. That's six hours, 36,000 feet, and landed six inches from the runway center line." Less than three years from wind tunnel to test flight....pretty good, I would say.
No conspiracy there.



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