Roland was a mobile surface to air missile system that was designed to provide short-range defense against aircraft attacking at low levels. Effective against both low- and high- speed aircraft and helicopters, the system consisted of 10 supersonic missiles and fire control equipment. The Roland system was developed by a French-German consortium and was one of the first foreign-designed weapon systems procured by the United States for production in this country. The Army contracted with Boeing and Hughes Aircraft to transfer European technology so prototypes could be developed and tested.