The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) will be part of the weapons mix for the British Army’s AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, with integration planned for 2027.
In a written response to Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, defence minister Luke Pollard said APKWS has been assessed “as part of a suite of systems available for the AH-64E weapons load”, highlighting its potential to give commanders greater flexibility when engaging different target sets. Pollard said the system would allow the Apache to “engage a range of targets with a measured effect”, suggesting interest in capabilities that sit below high-end guided missiles in terms of cost and destructive power.
The minister confirmed that procurement activity for UK AH-64E armament is ongoing, with the capability due to be integrated and introduced on British Apaches by 2027. However, he stressed that no final procurement decisions have yet been made for this to be fitted on other platforms. Pollard added that while APKWS is being considered for Apache, “the potential for use on other platforms remains under review”, indicating that any wider adoption across UK forces has not yet been agreed.
What is APKWS?
The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) is a precision-guided rocket system that converts standard 2.75-inch (70 mm) Hydra 70 unguided rockets into laser-guided munitions through the addition of a mid-body guidance section. The guidance unit uses a semi-active laser seeker based on a distributed aperture design, allowing the rocket to home in on laser-designated targets with improved accuracy. APKWS is developed and manufactured by BAE Systems and is designated by the US Department of Defense as the programme of record for laser-guided 70 mm rockets.
Development of APKWS began in the early 2000s to address the requirement for a precision weapon with lower cost and reduced explosive yield compared with traditional guided missiles. The system achieved initial operational capability in 2012 and has since been fielded across a range of rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft. APKWS is designed to be compatible with existing Hydra 70 rocket motors, warheads and launchers, enabling integration with minimal changes to aircraft hardware or software.
The primary operational advantage of APKWS lies in its balance of precision and affordability. By upgrading existing unguided rocket stocks with a guidance kit, the system delivers accurate engagement of point targets at a significantly lower unit cost than larger guided weapons. Engagement ranges depend on launch platform and flight profile, typically extending several kilometres. The weapon is used against soft targets, lightly armoured vehicles and small maritime or ground threats, with an emphasis on limiting collateral damage.
Ongoing development of APKWS has focused on extending capability and addressing emerging operational requirements. Variants with increased range and alternative seeker technologies have been tested, including configurations intended for counter-uncrewed aerial system roles. These developments have expanded the system’s utility beyond close air support into broader defensive and tactical applications.
Ah good news at last, some thing getting done rather than talked about. Make sense to have, it wise chice.
Are the UK’s Apache’s getting any ER JAGM’s and ER Hellfire’s, something with more standoff range than just the standard rounds? What about the ER/NLOS Spike or even Brimstone?
UK Apaches have Hellfire. We bought a US ‘package’ rather than pay and wait for Brimstone integration.
Unknown would makes sense to incress stand off range, and have ESM/ECM, may be we can not afford it?
The headline is wrong, if you read the quote it states the rocket has been assessed as part of the suit of armament for the apache, not that it will be ordered. There is a strong indication that it’s going to be procured but only an indication, so still just words without action.
Maybe misleading rather than wrong.
I suspect they are avoiding confirming any decisions until the review is published, which is meant to be after Christmas sometimes this year.
Used to that its all we have had for 18 months, words and lot of them.
Curious by the 18month part, what about the 15 years before that.
But agreed time to actually start placing some actual orders.
I am sick of tired of the MOD saying they are planning to do somrthing and a lot of other words meaning but never spending £1 on anything but £100’s of millions of time planning and nothing happens for yers and years and years
Where’s Halfwit to lighten my despair
Hold on
JANES article 3nd May 2023 announced that the US had approved a sale of 768 APKWS II guided rockets to the UK for USD31.2m from BAE Inc. for our Apache Guardian gunships. A fantastic cheap alternative to expensive missiles for example drone defence.
So please someone at the MOD tell us that over 2 1/2 years ago you were planning this and you are still planning to spend a measley c£23 million from a British owned company
Got to have dozens of committee meetings first.
I agree.
Not Apache, but the RAF have the RCO Rapid Capabilities Office, what have they actually procured rapidly? Maybe 24 Storm Shroud?
I’d like to know.
I did hear that someone in accounts was against spending anymore money on stuff that just blew up into masses of bits because it was a waste of Tax payers money and that this money should go on good causes like Bus lanes and Speed Camera Vans.
Affordability driven. Would Martlet have been the preferred choice?
The Affordably Driven allowance has recently been withdrawn after 2 million Imigrants were using Taxi’s to visit the NHS.
All these immigrant taxis, being cleaned by immigrant car washers – mark my words – they are what’s causing all the pot holes!
That’s the pothole fairy’s mate, honest to god they come out at night with itty bitty drills and dig up the roads looking for fairy Gems.
The pothole situation is dire. I’m looking for 2CV or an Austin Allegro with hydragas suspension….desperate 😂
If Martlet works from Wildcat why not? Probably the integration costs thing again.
I think these are a fair bit cheaper than Martlet…. Which is a pretty wizard attack anything missile… what would be good is if the army got martlet integrated into its wildcats.. that would be 34 new offensive tactical air platforms for the simple cost of plugging in a weapon we already have onto a platform it’s already been integrated on.
Unguided rockets. Haven’t seen them since WW2. Two years to maybe integrate. Amazing skill.
Hi Geoff.
I recall both Harrier and Jaguar had rocket pods, as well as the current Apache. I saw them being used by Jags at SPTA at a firepower demo in the 90s, very impressive to the untrained eye like me.
But I get your irony. 👍