The contract gives all U.S. armed forces, as well as approved allies, access to the kits through foreign defence sales. The APKWS system is combat proven across air-to-surface, surface-to-surface, surface-to-air and air-to-air missions.
“This award reinforces the value of proven and cost-efficient precision munitions, which have consistently demonstrated their effectiveness and versatility across multiple platforms and missions,” said Neeta Jayaraman, director of Precision Guidance and Sensing Solutions at BAE Systems. She added that “the APKWS guidance kit provides advanced capabilities to our armed forces and foreign allies, and high-volume production ensures rapid and efficient delivery to the warfighter.”
The guidance kit converts standard 2.75-inch unguided rockets into laser-guided munitions able to strike soft and armoured targets while limiting collateral damage. Operators can employ the system against moving or stationary air and ground targets, which supports its use in a wide range of missions.
The kit can be launched from rotary and fixed-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, ground platforms and maritime vessels. It works with existing rocket motors, warheads and fuzes, and requires limited training and only simple maintenance in the field.
BAE Systems has produced the kit at full rate for more than 12 years, enabling U.S. forces and international partners to engage diverse targets at lower cost than traditional precision weapons. The company relies on an established supply chain and manufacturing base to deliver the kits quickly and reliably.
Production of the APKWS laser guidance kits takes place at BAE Systems facilities in Hudson, New Hampshire and Austin, Texas.
