Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN) and Emirates Advanced Investments (EAI) completed a series of environmental guided test flights of the TALON Laser-Guided Rocket. The TALON LGR rounds were pre-conditioned in extreme hot and cold temperatures prior to the flights and hit targets at ranges of 2, 3 and 5 kilometers (1.24, 1.86 and 3.1 miles) during the tests.
The TALON LGR is a low-cost, semi-active laser guidance and control kit that connects directly to the front of the existing 2.75-inch unguided rockets currently in U.S. and international inventories. The TALON LGR program is part of a cooperative development agreement with EAI of the United Arab Emirates.
"These tests help to confirm that our design approach meets performance requirements in extreme operational temperature ranges," said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, Raytheon Missile Systems president. "Our TALON LGR program is on track to complete qualification testing and begin production in 2010."
The TALON LGR is fully compatible with existing airborne and ground laser designators and requires no modifications to the rocket launcher. TALON LGR fills the critical operational capability gap between unguided rockets and guided, heavy antitank missiles.
"I am pleased to see the progress on this innovative program to bring a world-class system to the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces and allies," said Mr. Hussain Al Hammadi, EAI's chief executive officer. "We are looking forward to putting this system into service in the near future."
TALON LGRs will be fielded initially with the United Arab Emirates Army and launched from their AH64-D Longbow fleet.
EAI continues to be the region's leader in providing modernized defense capabilities to the United Arab Emirates.
Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.
