Raytheon Partners With Tata Advanced Systems For Stinger Components

US-based defence technology and research leader Raytheon Company has signed a memorandum of understanding with Tata Advanced Systems to jointly produce Stinger air defence missile components. As part of this new collaboration agreement, Tata Advanced Systems could produce components of the Stinger missile in India, said a joint media statement by the companies on Friday (February 17).

Stinger missile, which has both surface-to-air and air-to-air applications against a variety of airborne targets, is a man-portable air-defense System that operates as an infrared homing surface-to-air missile (SAM). It can be adapted to fire from a wide variety of ground vehicles and helicopters. A combination of supersonic speed, agility, highly accurate guidance and control system and lethal warhead gives Stinger the operational edge against all classes of helicopters, UAVs, cruise missiles, and fixed-wing aircraft. It has not only a surface-to-air capability from land and sea, but also an air-to-air capability that can be integrated into most fixed- or rotary-wing platforms.

“Our agreement with Tata Advanced Systems deepens our industrial partnership in India with a global technology leader and will expand the range of options and capabilities for US and coalition forces to achieve their missions,” said Duane Gooden, Raytheon Land Warfare Systems vice president in the Friday statement.

Sukaran Singh, chief executive officer and managing director of Tata Advanced Systems, the collaboration with Raytheon is in keeping with other partnerships that the Indian company has with global leaders in the defense and aerospace sector.

"We look forward to becoming a key contributor to the Stinger missile for India and will seek to expand our relationship to other missile systems and technologies,” Singh said.

In 2016, India was one of three international customers to order Stinger missiles. India will equip its AH-64 Apache helicopters soon to enter service with the Indian Air Force.

Raytheon Company, which had sales of $24 billion in 2016, is currently a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. The 95 year-old company offers products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. While, Tata Advanced Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, focused on providing integrated solutions for aerospace, defence and homeland security. It is already a key manufacturing partner for global OEMs, including Boeing, Airbus Group, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, Cobham Mission Equipment, RUAG Aviation, as well as the Government of India’s Defence Research & Development Organisation.