Article Posted on : - Jun 14, 2017

An artist rendering of the APKWS laser-guided rocket fired off of an F-16 aircraft. Photo: BAE Systems.

NEW DELHI (BNS): The US Navy has awarded BAE Systems a $180.5 million contract to continue producing Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWSTM) laser-guided rockets to meet the growing US and international demand for the systems.

APKWS rockets are seeing increasing use in theatre because they deliver cost-effective precision strikes with reduced potential for collateral damage, BAE Systems said in a statement.

“Our APKWS rockets are critical to the mission success of our US government and allied nation customers. This high-quality, reliable product is easy to use and provides accurate strike capability at a fraction of the cost of other precision munitions,” said Rachel Guill, director of Precision Guidance Solutions at BAE Systems.

APKWS laser-guided rockets allow militaries to leverage existing munitions and weapons systems investments with minimal effort and training.

The APKWS mid-body guidance kit transforms standard unguided Hydra 70 (2.75-inch) rockets into highly accurate precision munitions by easily screwing into place between the warhead and the motor.

The exceptional accuracy of the APKWS laser-guided rocket makes it extremely versatile to address various missions, and its modular design enables streamlined deployment on fixed- and rotary-wing platforms, it said.

The technology is available to international customers through the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.