The US Navy has signed a $2.68 billion contract with BAE Systems for thousands of APKWS Laser-Guided Rockets.

Following a US Department of Defense announcement in September 2019, BAE Systems announced that the US Navy has signed a $2.68 billion indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for the purchase of thousands of additional APKWS Laser-Guided Rockets.

“Our armed forces customers are looking to apply just the right amount of force at the right location to execute their missions without unnecessary damage,” said Marc Casseres, director of Precision Guidance and Sensing Solutions at BAE Systems, in a news release.

“APKWS rockets provide warfighters with the unique ability to precisely engage targets without excessive force, reducing the risk to nearby forces, civilians, and assets. It’s the driving force behind growing global demand.”

APKWS rockets fill the gap between unguided rockets and large precision munitions. BAE say that APKWS guidance kits are compatible with new inventories of rocket motors, warheads, and launchers, and easily transform unguided rockets into precision munitions with little training, say the firm.

“The indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract enables the Navy to purchase APKWS guidance kits over a five-year period, representing full-rate production lots 8-12. To meet growing demand, BAE Systems has ramped up production at its advanced manufacturing facilities in Hudson, New Hampshire and Austin, Texas and established a robust supply chains.”

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
4 years ago

Could these be fitted to wildcat or Merlin? I was thinking of countering swarm attacks from small attack craft as we have seen in the straits of Hormuz.

Jaralodo
Jaralodo
4 years ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

Isn’t that the purpose of martlet though?

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
4 years ago
Reply to  Jaralodo

I believe so Jaralodo, what interests me is cost and amount carried.

Steve
Steve
4 years ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

Wasn’t marlet meant to be in service this year?

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
4 years ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins
Peter Butt
Peter Butt
4 years ago
Reply to  Jaralodo

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightweight_Multirole_Missile
“Martlet” is in a different class, though similar. The idea behind APKWS is to adapt existing stocks of rockets, not full production per se. The APKWS will do many, but not all, of the jobs intended for Martlet at significantly reduced cost!!

whlgrubber
whlgrubber
4 years ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

love to see this, especially on the merlin mk4 as a landing site clearance munition. wires already in place.

Peter Butt
Peter Butt
4 years ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

yes. They can be used on ANYTHING that can carry a rocket pod and has access to laser designation, either self-designated or from another platform. Awesome bit of kit and ridiculously cheap too!!