TALON Laser-Guided Rocket Team Completes First Guided Test Flights

Raytheon Company and Emirates Advanced Investments (EAI) completed the first guided test flights of the TALON Laser-Guided Rocket.

The TALON LGR rounds hit a 1.5 meter (4.9 feet) square target during both tests, exceeding accuracy requirements at ranges of 3.7 km and 5 km (2.3 and 3.1 statute miles).

The TALON LGR is an affordable, 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. The TALON LGR program is part of a cooperative development agreement with EAI of the United Arab Emirates.

"These tests validate our low-cost development approach for a reliable precision guidance kit for the 2.75 inch rocket and confirm we are on track to have a qualified product in production in 2010," said Dr. Taylor Lawrence, president of Raytheon Missile Systems. "TALON LGR fills a critical need for attack helicopters and other platforms by giving warfighters a precision weapon that provides pinpoint lethality and reduces collateral damage."

The success of the guided flight tests will lead to live firings from the AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter.

"I am very excited to report that the TALON LGR program passed another key milestone event and is keeping track with our compact schedule and fielding plans for the helicopter programs," said Cory Mahanna, EAI senior advisor.

The TALON LGR is fully compatible with existing airborne and ground laser designators and requires no modifications to the rocket launcher. It fills the critical operational capability gap between unguided rockets and guided heavy anti-tank missiles.

"EAI and RMS are working together on this innovative program, combining the skills and assets of two countries to bring a world-class system to the United Arab Emirates armed forces and allies," said Hussain Al Hammadi, EAI's chief executive officer. "I am very pleased with the success this program is achieving."

The Raytheon-EAI cooperative development agreement includes a follow-on production proposal to manufacture TALON LGRs in both the US and the United Arab Emirates beginning in 2010. TALON LGRs will be initially fielded with the United Arab Emirates Land Forces and launched from its AH64-D Longbow fleet.