Development and production agreements have been entered into by Raytheon and Thales of France for a new variant of the TOW weapon system.

TOW, or tube-launched, optically-tracked, wireless-guided weapon system, is a long-range, precision anti-armor, anti-fortification and anti-amphibious landing weapon system used throughout the world and expected to be in service with the U.S. military beyond 2025.

The system was first produced in the United States in the 1970s as an anti-tank system using a wire-guided missile.

Raytheon said the agreements signed are a 27-month accord for development of a new TOW variant and a five-year production contract.

Thales has earmarked about $20.2 million for the design and qualification of two new TOW missile sub-assemblies that will reduce the product's cost, improve fuze (CQ) safety and obsolescence issues.

"Re-investing in the TOW weapon system for the U.S. government, our international partners and TOW users around the globe ensures increased capability and enables Raytheon to continue delivering affordable precision," said Michelle Lohmeier, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Land Warfare Systems product line. "This development activity will enable increased safety compliance and warfighter survivability while addressing obsolescence issues and incorporating cost saving technologies."

Added Stuart Boulton, Thales's vice president of global missile electronics. "We have a long standing relationship for the supply of high-performance missile electronic systems to Raytheon Missile Systems. "We are delighted to be working in the Raytheon team to support the development of the new TOW weapon system."