BAE Systems has delivered its 100,000th Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guidance kit, a production milestone for the widely used precision-strike system.
The APKWS kit converts standard 2.75-inch unguided rockets into precision-guided munitions, providing a lower-cost alternative to larger guided missiles while maintaining accuracy and reducing the risk of collateral damage. The system is designed for a range of missions and has increasingly been used in counter-uncrewed aircraft operations.
“With over a decade of proven performance, reliability, and accuracy, APKWS guidance kits have supported precision-strike missions worldwide,” said Neeta Jayaraman, director of Precision Guidance and Sensing Solutions at BAE Systems. “This milestone demonstrates our ability to deliver innovative technology rapidly and at scale. With our new production contract, we’re poised to support evolving mission needs for years to come.”
The guidance kit can be launched from multiple platforms, including fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial systems, ground vehicles and maritime platforms. It supports a range of engagement types, including air-to-surface, surface-to-surface, surface-to-air and air-to-air strikes.
APKWS systems are currently fielded by the U.S. Navy, Army, Air Force and Marine Corps and are available to allied nations through foreign military sales programmes. BAE Systems has produced the system at full rate for more than a decade and continues to develop upgrades and new variants to address emerging threats. Production of the APKWS guidance kit takes place at BAE Systems facilities in Hudson, New Hampshire, and Austin, Texas.
Will the UK be getting this for its F35Bs and Typhoon’s for counter drone? And, is the 25mm gun pod worth a look for the F35B?
It is now being rapidly incorporated on Typhoon. There was pictures of it doing aerodynamic test last week. I doubt it will be on the F35 anytime soon. Lockheed Martin has issues integrating anything especially no stealthy weapons in the wings.
What other platforms might it be useful if they had it? Hawk / M-246, army Wildcat?