US Navy delivers new APKWS variant

The US Navy has delivered the first fixed-wing aircraft variant of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System (APKWS) to the marine attack squadron (VMA) 233 operating the AV-8B Harrier, it was announced on 30 March.

The 2.75-inch rockets with semi-active laser guidance were fielded after the marine corps put forth its requirement for the variant seven months ago. The APKWS rocket from BAE can be used to strike targets in confined and built-up areas.

The semi-active laser seeker enables the system to beam-ride reflected laser energy from ground-based or airborne laser designators for positive target acquisition.

A two-phase programme was defined to field the weapon variant. The first phase expedited fielding of a limited fixed-wing APKWS employment flight envelope capability. This included the delivery of 80 guidance kits. The second phase will expand the fixed-wing APKWS employment envelope limits for the Harrier.

Col Fred Schenk, program manager, AV-8B Harrier weapon system program office, said: ‘This capability will provide commanders with a warfighting alternative to better enable weapon-to-target pairing.’

Capt Al Mousseau, program manager, direct and time sensitive strike program office, said: ‘The intent of this requirement was to quickly provide the AV-8B with a low-cost, low-collateral damage, high-precision weapon in support of combat operations. This entire effort showcases what unity of effort among all government and industry stakeholders can accomplish to expediently deliver capability.’

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