Article Posted on : - Sep 15, 2011

TALON Laser-Guided Rocket.

YUMA PROVING GROUND (BNS): Seven additional tests for the TALON Laser-Guided Rocket have been recently completed by Raytheon on the AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter.

The successful flight tests were conducted using production configuration TALON systems.

The 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 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," Michelle Lohmeier, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Land Combat Systems said.

Raytheon and Emirates Advanced Investment Group are developing TALON under a cooperative development effort.

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.