TUCSON, Ariz., Sept. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Under a
$117 million contract awarded to
Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), Raytheon Missile Systems has begun
production of the TALON Laser Guided Rocket. In 2013, the Armed
Forces General Headquarters of the United
Arab Emirates awarded Tawazun a contract to procure the
TALON Laser Guided Rocket.
"Full rate production of the TALON LGR is a significant
milestone for Raytheon and the program," said Darryl Kreitman, Raytheon TALON program
director. "UAE defense manufacturing industry participated in
development of this revolutionary system and the end user can now
benefit from this laser guided precision
capability."
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 armored vehicles which are now serving
in different units of the UAE Armed Forces.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Army awarded TALON Air Worthiness
Certification on the Apache attack helicopter. During TALON's
development and test program, Raytheon completed more than 35 TALON
firings from the AH-64D Apache, resulting in a solution that is
ready for international direct commercial sales customers
today.
About TALON
The TALON LGR is a low-cost, digital
semi-active laser guidance and control kit co-developed with the
United Arab Emirates. The TALON
guidance section fits directly to the front of the legacy 2.75-inch
Hydra-70 unguided rocket. 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 Tawazun
Borne out of the long-established
Tawazun Economic Council, Tawazun was created in 2007 to develop
ventures through industrial partnerships and strategic investments
that add value to the UAE's industrial manufacturing sector across
a number of areas: defense & aerospace, automotive, munitions,
metals and technology. Tawazun has established itself as an active
industrial investor both locally and internationally by partnering
with a hand-picked selection of world-class market leaders to build
skills, expertise, products and systems in the UAE. Its investment
strategy is designed to drive change within the marketplace, while
its aim is to inspire emerging companies by providing strong and
consistent support to aid their future expansion.
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
Patterson
+1.520.440.2194
rmspr@raytheon.com
SOURCE Raytheon Company