EAI close to manufacturing laser guided rocket system

EAI is working with American defence giant Raytheon and invested in the development of the system - known as TALON which was described by Raytheon  as filling  the critical operational capability gap between unguided rockets and guided heavy anti-tank missiles”,

In April, Raytheon announced that the venture had completed four ground-based guided flight tests of the TALON Laser-Guided Rocket., opening the way for airborne testing of the system f rom the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter.

"The Raytheon-EAI team has a proven, production-ready laser-guided rocket," said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, Raytheon Missile Systems president. "These tests affirm we are on track to deliver an affordable, fully qualified precision weapon for attack helicopters in 2010."

The tests, using rockets built on the Raytheon-EAI production line, verified the production configuration of the TALON LGR. During the tests, the team also demonstrated TALON LGR's precision lethality with a tactical warhead flight. The rounds used during the test were preconditioned at extreme temperatures.

"Because of these critical successes, we are now entering the final phase of the program," said Hussain Al Hammadi, EAI's chief executive officer. "EAI national engineers are working closely with Raytheon engineers to set high standards and deliver quality products in the global aerospace industry through rapid design and production processes. We expect that fielding for TALON LGR will begin this year."

The TALON LGR is fully compatible with existing airborne and ground laser designators and requires no modifications to rocket launchers currently in the inventory.