Under a $117 million contract awarded to Raytheon Company, Raytheon Missile Systems has begun production of the TALON Laser Guided Rocket. In 2013, the Armed Forces General Headquarters of the United Arab Emirates awarded Tawazun a contract to procure the TALON Laser Guided Rocket.
“Full rate production of the TALON LGR is a significant milestone for Raytheon and the program,” said Darryl Kreitman, Raytheon TALON program director. “UAE defense manufacturing industry participated in development of this revolutionary system and the end user can now benefit from this laser guided precision capability.”
Under the contract, Raytheon will maintain full integration of the TALON system into the UAE Armed Forces to include logistics, training and warranty support. Raytheon is also exploring options to integrate TALON onto NIMR armored vehicles which are now serving in different units of the UAE Armed Forces.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Army awarded TALON Air Worthiness Certification on the Apache attack helicopter. During TALON’s development and test program, Raytheon completed more than 35 TALON firings from the AH-64D Apache, resulting in a solution that is ready for international direct commercial sales customers today.
The TALON LGR is a low-cost, digital semi-active laser guidance and control kit co-developed with the United Arab Emirates. The TALON guidance section fits directly to the front of the legacy 2.75-inch Hydra-70 unguided rocket. TALON’s architecture and ease of employment make it a low-cost, highly-precise weapon for missions in urban environments, as well as counter insurgency and swarming boat defense missions. TALON is fully compatible with existing airborne and ground laser designators.
Born out of the long-established Tawazun Economic Council, Tawazun was created in 2007 to develop ventures through industrial partnerships and strategic investments that add value to the UAE’s industrial manufacturing sector across a number of areas: defense & aerospace, automotive, munitions, metals and technology.
Raytheon Company, with 2013 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, security and civil markets throughout the world. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass.
