What distinguishes the Tomahawk missile from other types of missiles?

The Tomahawk missile is distinguished primarily by its ability to be guided during flight, allowing it to make real-time adjustments to its trajectory and target. This precision guidance enhances its effectiveness in striking specific targets while minimizing collateral damage, a critical factor in modern military operations. The Tomahawk is designed with advanced navigation systems, including terrain-contour matching, which allows it to follow complex flight paths and avoid obstacles, providing a significant tactical advantage compared to unguided munitions.

While some of the other options mention aspects related to the Tomahawk, they do not capture the primary distinguishing feature. For instance, the Tomahawk is indeed used extensively by naval forces; however, it is also capable of being launched from ground platforms, which means it is not limited strictly to naval operations. Additionally, despite modern missiles often utilizing GPS for targeting, the Tomahawk’s superiority lies in its combination of GPS guidance and other sophisticated navigation technologies to ensure accuracy. Lastly, referring to its frailty in combat scenarios does not accurately describe the missile's operational capabilities; rather, it is engineered for robustness and effectiveness in a variety of combat environments.