BAE destroys fast-moving UAS with APKWS

Ground-to-air test firings proved the effectiveness of 70mm rockets guided by APKWS guidance kits against Class 2 UAS weighing that can travel at speeds in excess of 100mph.

During a demonstration, five APKWS-guided counter-UAS rockets were fired from a containerised system destroying all targets, including the UAS.

BAE Systems Precision Guidance and Sensing Solutions director Greg Procopio said: 'Militarised drones are becoming more prevalent in conflicts around the world, and we're giving our customers an efficient way to counter them without wasting expensive missiles.'

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BAE said the tests demonstrated APKWS guidance kits' ability to enable low-cost precision strikes on aerial targets.

To destroy class two UAS, the 70mm rockets combine standard motors and warheads with APKWS guidance kits and proximity or point-detonation fuses.

BAE described the resulting weapon as 'a low-cost, supersonic, lock-on-after-launch strike weapon with a large 10-pound warhead' capable of taking out UAS with or without direct contact.

APKWS-guided rockets are effective against soft and armoured targets, whether moving or stationary and can be fired from a range of land and aerial platforms.

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