TALON Laser-Guided Rocket completes key milestone
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 US and international inventories. It has been designed to fill the critical operational gap between unguided rockets and guided heavy anti-tank missiles.
Source: Raytheon
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![Argentina orders Bell 407s for military search and rescue missions]()
Argentina orders Bell 407s for military search and rescue missions
Argentina is to acquire six Bell 407 helicopters for search and rescue operations by the country's army and air force under a government-to-government contract with Canada.
-
![Sikorsky awaits UK New Medium Helicopter requirements to unveil production plans, explores new X2 design]()
Sikorsky awaits UK New Medium Helicopter requirements to unveil production plans, explores new X2 design
Sikorsky has yet to reveal its production plans for its UK New Medium Helicopter contender while industry anxiously anticipate the release of critical acquisition targets. The company also continues the exploration of its X helicopter concept for the international market.
-
![CH-47F Chinook Block II reaches final assembly line as wider programme moves forward]()
CH-47F Chinook Block II reaches final assembly line as wider programme moves forward
The Block II upgrade incorporates various enhancements to increase lift capability and commonality between US Army and allied fleets, reducing maintenance costs.
-
![Uruguay's African peacekeepers to receive new support helicopter]()
Uruguay's African peacekeepers to receive new support helicopter
The donation of a utility helicopter by the UA will increase the Uruguayan peacekeeping deployment’s air support capabilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
-
![Turkiye's Gokbey helicopter marks first indigenous engined flight]()
Turkiye's Gokbey helicopter marks first indigenous engined flight
On April 22, 2023, Turkish Aerospace’s T-625 GOKBEY general-purpose helicopter conducted a test flight with an indigenous TEI-TS1400 engine for the first time.
-
![Canada to upgrade AW101 rescue helicopters in-country under Leonardo-IMP deal]()
Canada to upgrade AW101 rescue helicopters in-country under Leonardo-IMP deal
Canada's IMP Aerospace will carry out upgrades on 13 of the 16 AW101 aircraft covered by the CMLU programme under a sub-contract from Leonardo Helicopters UK.
