TALON LGR enters full rate production for the UAE
Raytheon Missile Systems has commenced production of the TALON Laser Guided Rocket (LGR) for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the company announced on 15 September. Raytheon was awarded a $117 million contract for the rockets in November 2013.
The Talon LGR is being acquired for the UAE by its strategic defence investment firm, Tawazun. 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 armoured vehicles which are now serving in different units of the UAE armed forces.
Darryl Kreitman, TALON program director, Raytheon, said: ‘Full rate production of the TALON LGR is a significant milestone for Raytheon and the programme. UAE defence manufacturing industry participated in development of this revolutionary system and the end user can now benefit from this laser guided precision capability.’
The US Army certified TALON for use on the Apache attack helicopter in April. The system’s development and test programme saw Raytheon complete 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 digital semi-active laser guidance and control kit co-developed with the UAE. The TALON guidance section fits directly to the front of the legacy 2.75-inch Hydra-70 unguided rocket. The system has been designed a highly-precise weapon for missions in urban environments, as well as counter insurgency and swarming boat defence missions. TALON is fully compatible with existing airborne and ground laser designators.
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