Raytheon Company and NIMR Automotive, part of the Emirates Defense Industries Company (EDIC) have agreed to collaborate on equipping NIMR armored vehicles with Raytheon’s TALON laser-guided rockets (LGR), according to a Raytheon press release.

The vehicles will mount a Raytheon remote weapons station combined with an elevated sensor/director ball, allowing the 16 TALON LGR to be fired from concealment as well as with the vehicle in motion.

“Integration onto the NIMR vehicle further demonstrates the versatility of TALON,” said Michelle Lohmeier, Raytheon vice president of Land Warfare Systems. “In partnership with EDIC, we are providing an affordable, near-term and reliable solution.”

The TALON LGR is the product of a U.S. government program to add a low-cost guidance kit to the existing, and widely-used, 2.75-inch Hydra-70 unguided rocket. The TALON consists of a semi-active laser guidance kit mounting to the front of the legacy Hydra-70 rocket. While the TALON, developed by Raytheon and the United Arab Emirates armed forces, lost out to the BAE Systems Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) in the original program, it continued in development and has also been adapted for maritime uses.

“Integration onto the NIMR vehicle further demonstrates the versatility of TALON,” said Michelle Lohmeier, Raytheon vice president of Land Warfare Systems. “In partnership with EDIC, we are providing an affordable, near-term and reliable solution.”

“The NIMR 6×6 tactical platform provides a range of modular system integration to support a full range of missions including armed reconnaissance, infrastructure defense, defensive fire suppression and border security,” said Dr. Fahad Saif Harhara, NIMR CEO. “It can also support rapidly advancing infantry. The mobile and fixed firing modes enhance the vehicle’s effectiveness and provide a significant advantage over existing heavy artillery.”