New Air Platform-mounted Rocket Launchers

Arnold Defense, a St Louis/USA-based international manufacturer and supplier of 2.75in rocket launchers, is displaying its new, ultra-light LWL-12 2.75in/70mm Weapon Systems at DSA 2018. Launched earlier this year, DSA is the second major exhibition within the region that Arnold Defense have attended this year. This proves the long-term commitment to this important region by the company.

Arnold Defense is one of the world’s largest suppliers of rocket launchers, having manufactured more than 1.1 million 2.75in rocket launchers since 1961 for the US Army, US Navy, US Air Force and many NATO customers and allies. The company designs and manufactures rocket launchers that can be customised for any size, weight, capacity or form factor for platforms in the air, on the ground or at sea. Arnold Defense are represented in Malaysia by Qiblatin Synergy.

Arnold Defense’s rocket launchers are designed and built with combat-proven technology and they comply with stringent US airworthiness and safety standards. The company’s products include the new, ultra-light LWL-12 (on display on Dillon Aero stand #10474) that weighs just over 60lbs (27kg) empty. Other core products include the 19-round M261 which is commonly used by helicopters; the thermal coated 7-round LAU-68 variants and LAU-61 Digital Rocket Launcher are used by the US Navy and Marines; and the 7-round LAU-131 and SUU-25 flare dispenser are used by the US Air Force and worldwide.

Traditionally, 2.75in rocket systems have been used as an area suppression weapon, ordinarily deployed by aviation assets. The Arnold Defense team, on stand No. #10474, are currently developing the FLETCHER smart, laser-guided launcher system, which will be available during 2018. A Special Forces vehicle mounted FLETCHER prototype, unveiled in 2017 at both DSEI and AUSA, utilises the advancement of laser guided rocket technology to meet the modern demands of air, land and marine-based, mounted and dismounted asymmetric warfare, for special and conventional forces. 

“We are very excited to have our combat-proven rocket launchers on display at DSA as Arnold Defense is the Program of Record around the globe for both fixed and rotary wing platforms,” Jim Hager, President and CEO of Arnold Defense, said. “We manufacture the world’s most reliable and affordable rocket launchers for air platforms, but the sky is NOT the limit. Through our experience and innovation, we are developing the next generation of laser guided weapons systems for land and maritime missions.  Working together, we protect both today’s warfighters and tomorrow’s on land, sea, and air, as we have for the last half-century.”