TUCSON, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Thousands of the new wireless TOW anti-tank missiles are to be provided to the U.S. military by Raytheon under a multiyear contract worth $349 million.
Under the award, Raytheon will supply 6,676 of the tube-launched, optically tracked, wireless-guided weapon, which features a wireless guidance link system built into the missile and the missile case.
"TOW has been one of the most fired weapons in history, and the upgrade to wireless gives our warfighters an improved capability," said Michelle Lohmeier, vice president of Land Combat for Raytheon Missile Systems.
"With this contract, we are partnering with the U.S. Army to ensure our warfighters continue to have this life-saving weapon for years to come."
The TOW is a primary heavy anti-tank and precision-assault weapon used by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, deployed on Army Stryker vehicles, Bradley Fighting Vehicles and Humvees.
Raytheon said that switching from earlier versions of the weapon, which were controlled in flight by a wire, wouldn't require additional training for the troops.