Arnold Defense, the American-based international defense manufacturer and supplier of 2.75-inch rocket launchers, is announcing successful test firing results of their “FLETCHER” land-based, 2.75-inch/70mm Weapon System during an interview with Army Recognition Defense and Security Web TV News channel at Eurosatory 2018 defense exhibition in Paris, France.

Arnold Defense Fletcher 70mm rocket launcher system mounted on a small turret at Eurosatory 2018, Land and Airland Defence & Security exhibition in Paris, France. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The FLETCHER is a 70mm rocket launcher system that can be mounted on military vehicles as well as base defense platforms. The FLETCHER Laser Guided Rocket Launcher System was showed at Eurosatory 2018 as part of the Dillon Aero stand,  mounted on a small turret. Traditionally, 2.75-inch rocket systems have been used as an area suppression weapon, ordinarily deployed by aviation assets. The team has turned this concept on its head with the advancement of guided rocket technology to meet the modern demands of land-based, vehicle mounted and dismounted asymmetric warfare, for special and conventional forces.

The FLETCHER 70mm rocket launcher system test firing took place late in May 2018 at an undisclosed location in USA at the specific request of an, also undisclosed, group of end users. The aim of the test-firing was to prove the concept of FLETCHER when used as a ground-based weapon system and to demonstrate the capability to a range of interested specialist users from across the globe. The test firing was a huge success, achieving a 100% target hit rate at ranges between 2 km and 5 km.

The FLETCHER 70mm rocket launcher system is supported by a team of global defense industry companies collaborating under Arnold’s leadership to combine their complimentary expertise. Working together, the team is able to provide a full-system approach to FLETCHER ranging from design, validation, testing, manufacture and full system integrationin a variety of ground-to-ground engagement scenarios.

The FLETCHER 70mm rocket launcher system is a unique design that allows for ease of operation, maintenance and sustainment in support of combat operations. FLETCHER employs an existing suite of guidance modules, rockets and warheads which are already used in well-known programs and are readily available to global forces. Working in-concert with world-class designation equipment, FLETCHER is a fully integrated weapon system that can engage targets at ranges up to 5 kilometers giving land forces capability that previously required the deployment of air assets.

Jim Hager, President and CEO of Arnold Defense said “achieving such successful test-firing results on our very first live range session is a massive boost for FLETCHER and for all of the companies involved in the collaborative team. Since launching FLETCHER in London, UK, last September, we have been showing it all around the world where it is garnering significant interest, especially from special operations military units”. He added: “Now that we’ve proven that the concept works we’re expecting to see the interest turn into orders and to that end, we are aiming to have the FLETCHER system ready for sale during the last quarter of 2018”.