Killer Tomato® Target Balloon — The Official Licensed Manufacturer Since 1998
The World's Most Recognized
Naval Training Target
Killer Tomato Target Balloon — Official Manufacturer APPF Inc. Also searched as: Killer Tomato Taget, Killer Tomato Baloon, Killer Tomato Ballon, Killer Tomato Target BaloonManufactured by APPF Inc. — the only officially licensed, patented manufacturer of the Killer Tomato® — used by the US Navy, Army, and allied forces worldwide for live-fire weapons qualification and training exercises since October 1998.
® Killer Tomato is a trademark of Killer Tomato Entertainment. Licensed for use by APPF Inc.
APPF Inc. — The Official Killer Tomato® Manufacturer
APPF Inc. (American Pacific Plastic Fabricators Inc.) in Westminster, California is the sole officially licensed and patented manufacturer of the Killer Tomato® target balloon. We have supplied the US Navy, US Army, US Marine Corps, and allied military forces continuously since October 1998. No other company holds the Killer Tomato® trademark license or the underlying US patents.
What is the Killer Tomato®?
The Killer Tomato® is an International Orange, inflatable towed surface target balloon that has been used by the US Navy and other military branches for decades. It serves as a highly visible, realistic target for live-fire weapons qualification exercises involving small arms, crew-served weapons, naval guns, and missile systems.
Manufactured by APPF Inc. in Westminster, California, the Killer Tomato® is constructed from durable PVC using our state-of-the-art RF welding technology. The result is a rugged, reliable target that can withstand the rigors of open-ocean deployment while providing a consistent, high-visibility target profile.
From the South China Sea to the Atlantic, the Killer Tomato® has been deployed in training exercises by the US Navy, US Army, US Marine Corps, and numerous allied nations. Its International Orange color and reliable performance have made it the standard for naval surface target training worldwide.
See It In Action
The Killer Tomato® has been featured in live-fire exercises by the US Navy, Royal Navy, and allied forces worldwide. Watch it in action below.
USS Bataan (LHD 5) crew-served weapons live-fire at the Killer Tomato® — US 5th Fleet area of operations
Official US DoD footage — Killer Tomato® live-fire exercise (DVIDS)
APPF radar testing — 2 miles off Huntington Beach, CA. Demonstrates inflation, deployment & radar cross-section
Phalanx CIWS trials vs Killer Tomato® — RFA Lyme Bay (Royal Navy)
Also Seen On Social Media
French Navy (Marine nationale) — Killer Tomato® exercise reel
What Is the Killer Tomato® Naval Training Target?
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 worldwide for live-fire weapons qualification and gunnery training exercises. Manufactured exclusively by APPF Inc. in Westminster, California since October 1998, it is the only patented, officially licensed naval gunnery target balloon of its kind.
The target is constructed from 12-mil RF-welded PVC vinyl — the same radio-frequency welding technology APPF uses for military-grade inflatable structures. It inflates rapidly in the field, floats on the water surface, and is held stationary by an integrated drogue chute (sea anchor) that keeps it positioned relative to the vessel during live-fire exercises. A Davis Instruments radar reflector mounted on the balloon makes it visible to shipboard radar systems, enabling realistic gunnery training against a radar-detectable surface target.
The Killer Tomato® is available in four variants — Monster, Original, Cherry, and Cherry MK2 — each assigned a unique National Stock Number (NSN) under Federal Supply Class 6920 (Training Aids, Devices, and Simulators). A fifth variant, the Tow-Mato®, is purpose-built for active towing behind a vessel rather than static deployment. All variants are Berry Amendment compliant, ITAR registered, and manufactured under US Patent 7,932,850 B1.
APPF Inc. is the sole authorized manufacturer of the Killer Tomato® under exclusive license from Killer Tomato Entertainment, the trademark holder. No other company is authorized to manufacture, sell, or distribute the Killer Tomato® under its registered trademark. Products sold by other vendors using the "Killer Tomato" name are unlicensed imitations and are not manufactured to US military specifications.
Why the Killer Tomato®?
Realistic Target Profile
International Orange, highly visible balloon target that simulates a real threat profile for naval and ground-based weapons training.
Rapid Deployment
Inflates quickly and can be towed behind vessels or deployed from shore for flexible training scenarios.
Combat-Proven
Used by the US Navy, Army, and allied forces worldwide for live-fire weapons qualification exercises.
US-Made Quality
Manufactured in Westminster, CA by APPF Inc. — Berry Amendment compliant, ITAR registered, and built to military specifications.
Product Variants
APPF offers multiple Killer Tomato® configurations to meet the specific training requirements of different branches and mission profiles.
Standard Killer Tomato®
The original towed surface target balloon used by the US Navy for small arms and crew-served weapons qualification.
- International Orange high-visibility PVC
- Tow-line attachment system
- Rapid inflation design
Tow-Mato
Enhanced towed variant with improved stability and longer service life for extended training operations.
- Enhanced tow stability
- Extended service life
- Improved seam construction
- Compatible with standard tow systems
MK2 Killer Tomato®
Next-generation design with updated materials and improved performance for modern weapons systems training.
- Updated material construction
- Next-generation design
- Multi-branch compatible
The Only Official, Patented Manufacturer
APPF Inc. holds exclusive US patents on the Killer Tomato® naval training target and is the only manufacturer licensed by Killer Tomato Entertainment to produce, sell, and distribute the Killer Tomato® under its registered trademark. We have manufactured this product continuously since October 1998 — over 25 years of uninterrupted production for the US military and allied forces.
US Patent 7,932,850 B1 (active through 2030) covers the buoyant target with radar reflectivity. US Patent 6,592,416 B1 covered the original target design for its full 20-year term. No other manufacturer holds these patent rights.
The Killer Tomato® name, logo, and associated graphics are registered trademarks of Killer Tomato Entertainment. APPF is the sole licensed manufacturer. Any other company using this name is doing so without authorization.
Every Killer Tomato® is manufactured at our facility in Westminster, CA. Berry Amendment compliant. ITAR registered. CAGE Code 1NLJ3. Products made overseas and sold as "Killer Tomato" are unlicensed imitations.
Buyer Advisory — Beware of Unlicensed Imitations
Some overseas manufacturers are producing and selling 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 procurement by US government agencies, defense contractors, or allied militaries, insist on the genuine article from APPF Inc. — the only authorized source.
US Patents
The Killer Tomato® naval training target is backed by US patents covering its core inflatable buoyant target design and advanced radar reflectivity technology. These patents represent decades of engineering innovation by the Hochschild family — the founders of APPF Inc.
- Filed
- May 28, 2010
- Granted
- April 26, 2011
- Expires
- May 28, 2030
- Inventor
- Arthur Anton Hochschild III et al.
Covers the inflatable buoyant target with an internal radar reflector device comprising 3-surface orthogonal reflectors — enabling the Killer Tomato® to reflect radar signals used in modern naval gunnery and missile guidance training.
View on Google Patents- Filed
- April 2, 2002
- Granted
- July 15, 2003
- Expired
- April 2, 2022 (full term)
- Inventor
- Arthur A. Hochschild III
The foundational patent covering the original inflatable buoyant target design with integrated drogue chute — the core architecture of the Killer Tomato® that has been in continuous production since 1987. Expired after its full 20-year term.
View on Google PatentsAdditional Patent Application — Laser Reflectivity (US 2015/0048572 A1)
APPF Inc. also filed a patent application covering advanced laser reflectivity technology for buoyant naval targets — adding exterior laser reflector members and combined laser/radar reflectivity for use with modern laser-guided weapons systems. Filed March 20, 2014; published February 19, 2015. Assignee: American Pacific Plastic Fabricators Inc. View application →
Download the Full Spec Sheet
Complete specifications, dimensions, and ordering information for all Killer Tomato® variants.
In Action
The Killer Tomato® has been deployed in live-fire exercises across the globe by US and allied military forces.
Technical Specifications
Full dimensional, material, NSN, and performance specifications for every Killer Tomato® variant. All products manufactured by APPF Inc., Westminster, CA — CAGE Code 1NLJ3.
| Specification | Monster Killer Tomato® ⬇ Spec Sheet | Original Killer Tomato® ⬇ Spec Sheet | Cherry Killer Tomato® ⬇ Spec Sheet | Cherry MK2 New Design ⬇ Spec Sheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSN | 6920-01-629-0823 | 6920-00-868-9847 | 6920-01-628-9939 | 6920-01-693-2850 |
| Internal P/N | NSN-6920-Monster | NSN-6920MK2 | NSN-6920-Cherry | — |
| Also Known As | — | — | Lemon / Orange | — |
| Color | International Orange | International Orange | International Orange | International Orange |
| Material | 12-mil PVC vinyl, RF-welded | 12-mil PVC vinyl, RF-welded | 12-mil PVC vinyl, RF-welded | 12-mil PVC vinyl, RF-welded |
| Deployment | Static — held by drogue chute | Static — held by drogue chute | Static — free to drift / blow across surface | Static — held by drogue chute |
| Drogue Chute | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Recovery Line | 50' floating w/ float | 25' floating w/ float | 25' floating w/ float | 25' floating w/ float |
| Deck D-Rings | 7 D-rings | 7 D-rings | 2 D-rings | 7 D-rings |
| Radar Reflector | Yes — Davis Instruments | Yes — Davis Instruments | No | Yes — Davis Instruments |
| Powerflare® Option | Yes — PF-200 | Yes — PF-200 | No | Yes — PF-200 |
| Inflated Size | 17' × 17' × 15' | 14' × 14' × 14' | 6' × 6' × 6' | 6' × 6' × 6' |
| Pre-Inflated Size | 14' × 14' × 12' | 10' × 10' × 10' | 5' × 5' × 5' | 5' × 5' × 5' |
| Ship Weight | 102 lbs | 63 lbs | 15 lbs | 27 lbs |
| Box Dimensions | 30" × 12" × 21" | 14" × 12" × 18" | 24" × 12" × 18" | 14" × 12" × 18" |
Tow-Mato®
Active towing variant
| Color | International Orange |
| Material | 12-mil PVC vinyl, RF-welded seams (no stitching — fully waterproof) |
| Primary Deployment | Active towing — purpose-built to be towed behind a vessel at speed |
| Ballast Chambers | Yes — fillable/adjustable chambers on the bottom allow ballast weight to be added or adjusted to tune towing behavior and stability behind a vessel |
| Drogue Chute / Sea Anchor | No — optimized for active towing |
| Radar Reflective | Optional |
| Inflation | Powered air blower; field-deployable by small crew |
| Berry Amendment | Compliant on request |
| ITAR | Registered |
| Country of Origin | USA (Westminster, CA) |
| Manufacturer | APPF Inc. — CAGE 1NLJ3 |
Accessories & Options
Davis Instruments Emergency Radar Reflector
NSN 5840-01-628-9872Cable tie attachments for secure mounting to balloon. Included as standard on variants with radar reflector option. Available separately for field installation.
Scotchlite™ 7610 Reflective Tape
Radar reflective optionApplied directly to balloon surface for radar reflectivity. Available as a set of 4 strips, 3" × 36" each. Compatible with all Killer Tomato® variants.
Powerflare® PF-200 Safety Lights
Attaches to the top of the balloon via magnet or zip ties for night training operations and low-visibility exercises.
Shell Colors
Yellow, Orange, Military Green
LED Colors
Red, Yellow, Orange, Infrared (IR) — for night training with NVGs
Custom Nautical Light Option
Custom version available with standard nautical navigation lights (Red, Green, White) to simulate a vessel for realistic maritime training scenarios.
Common Specifications — All Variants
| Compliance | Berry Amendment compliant on request; ITAR registered; MIL-SPEC compatible |
| Certifications | ISO 9001:2008 Compliant, FDA Class 1 Certified, HUBZone Certified, SAM Registered |
| Applications | Small arms, crew-served weapons (M240B, M2 .50 cal), naval deck guns, Phalanx CIWS, missiles |
| Users | US Navy, US Army, USMC, US Coast Guard, Royal Navy (UK), Marine nationale (France), and allied forces worldwide |
| In Production Since | October 1998 — continuous production for 26+ years |
| CAGE Code | 1NLJ3 |
| Manufacturer | APPF Inc. (American Pacific Plastic Fabricators Inc.), Westminster, CA 92683 |
| Procurement | Direct from APPF Inc. — [email protected] or 714-891-3191 |
| Contract Vehicles | Direct procurement, DLA, defense contractors, allied nation purchasing agents, FMS |
NSN & Procurement Information
The Killer Tomato® is available for direct procurement from APPF Inc. and through the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). APPF works directly with military commands, defense contractors, and allied nation purchasing agents.
Procurement Credentials
- CAGE Code
- 1NLJ3
- SAM.gov
- Registered & Active
- ITAR Registration
- Active
- HUBZone
- Certified Small Business
- SDVOSB
- Contact APPF to confirm current status
- Berry Amendment
- Compliant on request
- ISO
- 9001:2008 Compliant
- FDA
- Class 1 Certified
How to Order
Direct Procurement
Contact APPF Inc. directly for pricing, availability, and delivery. We accept military purchase cards, government purchase orders, and standard commercial terms. Rush delivery available within CONUS.
DLA / Defense Logistics Agency
Killer Tomato® variants are cataloged in DLA and available via NSN. Contact APPF for current NSN numbers and DLA catalog status for your specific variant and configuration.
FMS / Allied Nations
APPF supplies Killer Tomato® targets to allied military forces worldwide through Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and direct commercial channels. Contact [email protected] for international procurement.
Defense Contractors
APPF works with prime contractors and subcontractors. CAGE Code 1NLJ3. SAM registered. All compliance documentation available on request.
NSN Quick Reference — Killer Tomato® Family
| Product | NSN | Internal P/N | Inflated Size | Drogue / Radar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monster Killer Tomato® | 6920-01-629-0823 | NSN-6920-Monster | 17' × 17' × 15' | Yes / Yes |
| Original Killer Tomato® | 6920-00-868-9847 | NSN-6920MK2 | 14' × 14' × 14' | Yes / Yes |
| Cherry Killer Tomato® (Lemon/Orange) | 6920-01-628-9939 | NSN-6920-Cherry | 6' × 6' × 6' | No / No |
| Cherry Killer Tomato® MK2 | 6920-01-693-2850 | — | 6' × 6' × 6' | Yes / Yes |
| Tow-Mato® | Contact APPF | — | — | No / Optional |
Official Manufacturer — CAGE Code 1NLJ3
APPF Inc. is the only manufacturer authorized to supply the genuine Killer Tomato®. Verify CAGE Code 1NLJ3 on all procurement documents. For current DLA catalog status, FMS inquiries, or Tow-Mato NSN, contact [email protected] or 714-891-3191.
Why Choose the Genuine Killer Tomato®?
Not all naval gunnery target balloons are equal. The Killer Tomato® is the only target backed by active US patents, an official trademark license, and 26+ years of continuous US military use.
| Feature | Killer Tomato® (APPF) | Generic Naval Target Balloons |
|---|---|---|
| Official Killer Tomato® Trademark License | ✓ Yes — exclusive license from Killer Tomato Entertainment | ✗ No — unlicensed use of the name |
| Active US Patent Protection | ✓ US 7,932,850 B1 (active through 2030) | ✗ No patent rights |
| Made in USA | ✓ Westminster, CA — 100% domestic production | ✗ Typically overseas manufacture |
| Deployment Type | ✓ Static (drogue chute sea anchor) — Standard & MK2; Active towing — Tow-Mato | ~ Typically towed only; static variants uncommon |
| Berry Amendment Compliant | ✓ Available on request | ✗ Not compliant (foreign-made) |
| ITAR Registered | ✓ Active registration | ✗ Typically not registered |
| HUBZone Certified | ✓ Certified small business | ✗ Not applicable |
| Continuous US Military Use | ✓ Since October 1998 — 26+ years | ✗ Limited or unverified history |
| RF-Welded PVC Construction | ✓ Precision RF welding — no stitching | ~ Varies by manufacturer |
| Internal Radar Reflector | ✓ Patented 3-surface orthogonal design | ~ External only or not available |
| Direct Military Procurement | ✓ DLA, CAGE 1NLJ3, SAM registered | ~ Varies |
| FMS / Allied Nation Supply | ✓ Worldwide supply capability | ~ Limited |
| ISO 9001 Compliant | ✓ 9001:2008 Compliant | ~ Unverified |
For US government procurement, defense contractor sourcing, or allied military purchasing — insist on CAGE Code 1NLJ3. Only APPF Inc. is the authorized source for the genuine Killer Tomato®.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the Killer Tomato® target balloon.
Ready to Order?
Contact our team to discuss your training requirements, request a quote, or get more information about the Killer Tomato® product line.
® Killer Tomato is a registered trademark of Killer Tomato Entertainment. The Killer Tomato name, logo, and associated marks are used on this website under license by American Pacific Plastic Fabricators Inc. (APPF Inc.), Westminster, CA 92683. All rights reserved by Killer Tomato Entertainment. Unauthorized use of the Killer Tomato trademark is strictly prohibited.