TUCSON, Ariz., July 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company
(NYSE: RTN) and MD Helicopters, Inc. successfully fired four TALON
laser guided rockets from the MD 530G armed aerial scout (AAS)
helicopter during a series of tests at Yuma Proving Ground,
Ariz.
"This test further demonstrates the maturity of the TALON Laser
Guided Rocket weapon system as a complement to MD's AAS platform,"
said Darryl Kreitman, Raytheon TALON
program director. "These test shots included four firings
showcasing TALON's versatility over the entire firing envelope with
direct hits for all events."
TALON LGR is a low-cost, digital semi-active laser guidance and
control kit co-developed with the United
Arab Emirates. TALON's guidance section integrates directly
to the front of the legacy 2.75-inch Hydra-70 unguided rockets
while its unique tail kit replaces the legacy Hydra-70 wraparound
tail kit.
"In just a few months, Raytheon worked closely with MD to integrate
TALON onto the MD 530G, subjecting the helicopter and rocket to
number of realistic mission profiles," said Kreitman. "The
successful testing once again demonstrated TALON's precision
guidance capabilities."
This latest successful firing and subsequent original equipment
manufacturer certification of TALON follows the recent
certification in April for air worthiness release of the weapon on
the Apache AH-64D/E attack helicopter.
During TALON's development program and test program, Raytheon
completed more than 35 TALON firings from the AH-64D Apache, which
has resulted in a solution that is ready for the international
direct commercial sales customers today.
About TALON
Raytheon's TALON requires no hardware or software modifications to
the launcher or aircraft platform for any aircraft that fires
2.75-inch Hydra-70 unguided rockets using the standard M260/261
launchers. 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.
About MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc.
(MDHI), a Lynn Tilton company, is a
leading manufacturer of commercial, military, law enforcement and
air-rescue helicopters. The MDHI family of rotorcraft is world
renowned for its value, versatility and performance. The MD
Helicopters family includes the twin-engine MD Explorer, and single
engine versions of the MD 500E, MD 520N, MD 530A, MD 530F, MD 530G,
MD 540A and MD 600N. The innovative NOTAR system for anti-torque
control with no tail rotor is used exclusively by MD Helicopters to
provide safer, quieter, smoother, and confined-area access
capability. The company is based in Mesa, Arizona. For more
information about MDHI, visit
www.mdhelicopters.com.
About Raytheon
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. With a history of
innovation spanning 92 years, Raytheon provides
state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other
capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command,
control, communications and intelligence systems, as well
as cyber security and a broad range of mission support
services. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit
us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter
@Raytheon.
Media Contact
John B.
Patterson
+1.520.794.4559
rmspr@raytheon.com
SOURCE Raytheon Company