Question 1

What is the Killer Tomato naval training target?

Accepted Answer

The Killer Tomato® is an International Orange inflatable towed surface target balloon used by the US Navy, US Army, US Marine Corps, and allied military forces for live-fire weapons qualification and gunnery training. It floats on the water surface and is held stationary by a drogue chute (sea anchor) during exercises. It is manufactured exclusively by APPF Inc. in Westminster, CA under US Patent 7,932,850 B1.

Question 2

Who makes the Killer Tomato target balloon?

Accepted Answer

APPF Inc. (American Pacific Plastic Fabricators Inc.) in Westminster, California is the only authorized, patented manufacturer of the Killer Tomato® naval training target. APPF has manufactured this product continuously since October 1998 under exclusive license from Killer Tomato Entertainment, the trademark holder. CAGE Code: 1NLJ3.

Question 3

What NSN is the Killer Tomato?

Accepted Answer

The Killer Tomato® is available under four National Stock Numbers in Federal Supply Class 6920: Monster (6920-01-629-0823), Original (6920-00-868-9847), Cherry (6920-01-628-9939), and Cherry MK2 (6920-01-693-2850). The Tow-Mato® NSN is available on request from APPF.

Question 4

What is the difference between the Killer Tomato and the Tow-Mato?

Accepted Answer

The standard Killer Tomato® variants (Monster, Original, Cherry, Cherry MK2) are designed for static deployment — they are held in position by a drogue chute (sea anchor) and remain stationary relative to the vessel during live-fire exercises. The Tow-Mato® is a separate product purpose-built for active towing behind a vessel at speed. It has adjustable ballast chambers on the bottom to tune towing stability, and no drogue chute. The two products serve different training scenarios and should not be confused.

Question 5

Is the Killer Tomato Berry Amendment compliant?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All Killer Tomato® variants manufactured by APPF Inc. are Berry Amendment compliant. The product is manufactured entirely in Westminster, CA, USA using US-sourced materials. APPF can provide Berry Amendment compliance documentation for contracting officers upon request.

Question 6

Is the Killer Tomato ITAR registered?

Accepted Answer

Yes. APPF Inc. is registered under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) for the export of defense articles, including the Killer Tomato® naval training target. All export inquiries should be directed to APPF Inc. directly.

Question 7

What is the difference between the Cherry Tomato and the Cherry MK2?

Accepted Answer

Both are compact 6' × 6' × 6' variants. The Cherry Killer Tomato® (NSN 6920-01-628-9939) has no drogue chute and drifts freely across the water surface — it is designed to blow or drift during exercises. The Cherry MK2 (NSN 6920-01-693-2850) is a newer design that adds a drogue chute, 7 D-rings, a Davis radar reflector, and a Powerflare® option — making it functionally similar to the larger variants but in a compact size.

Question 8

Does the Killer Tomato have a radar reflector?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the Monster, Original, and Cherry MK2 variants include a Davis Instruments Emergency Radar Reflector (NSN 5840-01-628-9872) as standard equipment. This makes the target visible to shipboard radar systems for realistic gunnery training. The Cherry variant does not include a radar reflector. The Tow-Mato® offers radar reflectivity as an option.

Question 9

What US patents cover the Killer Tomato?

Accepted Answer

The Killer Tomato® is covered by US Patent 7,932,850 B1 (Buoyant Target with Radar Reflectivity — active through May 2030) and the now-expired US Patent 6,592,416 B1 (Target for Naval Gunfire — expired April 2022 after its full 20-year term). APPF also filed a patent application for laser reflectivity technology (US 2015/0048572 A1). No other manufacturer holds these patent rights.

Question 10

Can the Killer Tomato be purchased through FedMall or DLA?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Use the NSNs listed on our procurement page to order through FedMall or the Defense Logistics Agency. APPF Inc. CAGE Code is 1NLJ3. If APPF is not shown as the manufacturer on a FedMall listing, contact us — some listings may show incorrect manufacturer information that we can assist in correcting.

Question 11

Is the Killer Tomato available for Foreign Military Sales?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Killer Tomato® is available to allied militaries through Foreign Military Sales (FMS) channels. APPF is ITAR registered and can provide all required export documentation. Contact APPF directly for FMS procurement support.

Question 12

Is APPF Inc. HUBZone certified?

Accepted Answer

Yes. APPF Inc. is SBA HUBZone certified, which qualifies us for HUBZone set-aside contracts and provides a 10% price evaluation preference in full and open competitions. This certification is current and active.

Question 13

Are there counterfeit or unlicensed Killer Tomato products?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Some overseas manufacturers produce and sell inflatable naval targets using the "Killer Tomato" name without a license, patent authorization, or trademark rights. These products are not genuine Killer Tomato® targets, are not Berry Amendment compliant, and are not manufactured to US military specifications. For US government procurement, insist on the genuine article from APPF Inc. — CAGE Code 1NLJ3 — the only authorized source.

Question 14

How long has APPF been making the Killer Tomato?

Accepted Answer

APPF Inc. has manufactured the Killer Tomato® continuously since October 1998 — over 25 years of uninterrupted production for the US military and allied forces. The product was originally developed in the late 1980s and APPF has been the exclusive licensed manufacturer since 1998.

Question 15

What is the drogue chute on the Killer Tomato?

Accepted Answer

The drogue chute on the Killer Tomato® functions as a sea anchor — it deploys underwater and creates drag that holds the balloon stationary relative to the water during live-fire exercises. This is different from an aerial drogue chute. The drogue chute keeps the target from drifting away from the vessel during the exercise. The Cherry variant does not have a drogue chute and is designed to drift freely.

Killer Tomato® Frequently Asked Questions

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