Rocket-based weapon system demonstrated for small ship protection
NewsJanuary 17, 2014
YUMA PROVING GROUND, AZ. Engineers at Raytheon and L-3 Communications fired Raytheon-made TALON laser-guided rockets from L-3 remote weapon station designed by L-3 using an LAU-68 launcher. The test demonstrated how small ships can be protected by using the lightweight remote weapon system integrating the already-fielded launcher and sensor systems as well as the TALON missiles.
The system, which can carry as many as seven TALONS uses an electro-optical sensor and laser designator -- for a total weight of about 500 pounds. It only needs a target queue for engaging on-mount target tracking and can be used on ships ranging in size from riverine to a major surface combatant.
TALON is a cooperative development program between Raytheon and the United Arab Emirates.
