Raytheon Company completed additional testing of the TALON Laser-Guided Rocket on the AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter. Raytheon and Emirates Advanced Investment Group are developing TALON under a cooperative development effort.
TALON met or exceeded all Raytheon test objectives, which included firing from hovering and moving platforms and engaging targets from short (1.2 km/.74 miles) to long (6.0 km/3.7 miles) ranges.
“TALON has been tested to the very edges of its performance requirements and is the only laser-guided rocket solution in the world to achieve an air-launched direct hit from a range of 1.2 km,” said Michelle Lohmeier, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems’ Land Combat Systems. “This milestone puts us one step closer to providing warfighters with an unprecedented precision rocket capability.”
The successful flight tests were conducted using production configuration TALON systems. The seven direct target hits included two tactical warhead shots. These tests demonstrate the maturity of the TALON design and readiness to begin full-rate production.
TALON is a low-cost, semi-active laser guidance and control kit that connects directly to the front of 2.75-inch unguided rockets currently in U.S. and international inventories. It has been designed to fill the critical operational gap between unguided rockets and guided heavy anti-tank missiles.
Raytheon Company, with 2010 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 72,000 people worldwide.
