BAE Systems signs new APKWS contract
BAE Systems has received a three-year $130 million IDIQ contract to keep the US Navy supplied with Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guided rockets, the company announced on 19 October.
The contract, which will cover supply of the rockets for end-users including all branches of the US military and foreign military sales customers, could increase in value to $600 million.
BAE Systems has invested in a new New Hampshire facility to meet growing demand for APKWS, which will enable it to increase production to 20,000 APKWS guidance units per year.
Built around BAE Systems’ distributed aperture semi-active laser seeker technology, with a mid-body guidance section that fits between the motor and the warhead, the APKWS solution transforms a standard unguided 2.75in munition into a precision laser-guided rocket. This design requires no modifications to the rocket, launch platform, or launcher system, and it allows militaries to leverage existing infrastructure and munitions investment with minimal effort and training.
The system has already been qualified or demonstrated on more than 14 rotary- and fixed-wing platforms.
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