APKWS: A Cost-Effective and Precise Weapon System
The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) is a design conversion of Hydra 70 unguided rockets with a laser guidance kit to turn them into precision-guided munitions (PGMs). It is the U.S. government's only program of record for the semi-active, laser-guided 2.75-inch (70 mm) rocket. In this article, we will explore what APKWS is, how it works, what are its benefits, how it is used, and how it is developed and produced.
What is APKWS?
APKWS is a system that converts unguided 2.75-inch (70 mm) rockets like the Hydra 70 Mk 66 and others into precision guided munitions (PGMs) through the addition of a mid-body guidance unit developed by BAE Systems. It bridges the gap between unguided rockets and larger anti-armor munitions with commonality across the U.S. military services Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force.
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How does it work?
The APKWS system uses the Distributed Aperture Semi-Active Laser Seeker (DASALS) technology. This system allows a laser seeker to be located in the leading edge of each of the forward control canards, working in unison as if they were a single seeker. This configuration allows existing warheads from the Hydra 70 system to be used without the need for a laser seeker in the missile nose.
The guidance section is designed to lock onto targets from over 6 kilometers away, supporting survivability and mission success by keeping the launch platform at a safe standoff distance from threats. A recent Single Variant Block Upgrade optimized flight trajectory so the rocket can hit targets at a steeper angle of attack for enhanced lethality.
What are the benefits of APKWS?
The APKWS system offers several advantages over other weapons systems, such as:
It is approximately one-third the cost and one-third the weight of the current inventory of laser-guided weapons, making it more affordable and efficient.
It has a lower yield more suitable for avoiding collateral damage, especially in urban or complex environments.
It takes one quarter of the time for ordnance personnel to load and unload, reducing logistics and maintenance burdens.
It has a high combat-proven hit rate, delivering pinpoint accuracy for the highest lethality available against soft and lightly-armored targets.
It has a 40-degree instantaneous field of regard that enables a broad capture area for the rocket to adjust mid-flight and stay on track to its target.
How is APKWS used?
APKWS can be used for a variety of missions and scenarios, such as close air support, air interdiction, strike coordination and reconnaissance, maritime patrol, special operations, counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism, and urban warfare.
What platforms can launch APKWS?
APKWS can be launched from multiple rotary-wing and fixed-wing platforms that are qualified by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), What platforms can launch APKWS?
APKWS can be launched from multiple rotary-wing and fixed-wing platforms that are qualified by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), such as:
AH-1W/Z Super Cobra/Viper attack helicopters
AH-64 Apache attack helicopters
UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters
OH-58 Kiowa scout helicopters
MH-60S/R Seahawk multi-mission helicopters
AV-8B Harrier II attack aircraft
A-10 Thunderbolt II close air support aircraft
F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole fighters
F/A-18 Hornet/Super Hornet strike fighters
AC-130 gunships
Development, testing, and demonstrations are underway for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), as well as ground-based platforms.
What targets can APKWS engage?
APKWS can engage a wide range of targets, such as:
Lightly armored vehicles and personnel carriers
Maritime vessels and patrol boats
Bunkers and buildings
Roadblocks and checkpoints
Enemy combatants and snipers
Moving or stationary targets in open or confined areas
The APKWS system has a lower yield more suitable for avoiding collateral damage, especially in urban or complex environments. It also has a 40-degree instantaneous field of regard that enables a broad capture area for the rocket to adjust mid-flight and stay on track to its target.
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What are some examples of APKWS missions?
APKWS has been used in various missions and scenarios, such as:
In 2012, the U.S. Marine Corps deployed APKWS on AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters in Afghanistan, marking the first time the system was used in combat.
In 2014, the U.S. Navy fired APKWS from an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter at a small boat target during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, demonstrating the system's maritime capability.
In 2015, the U.S. Air Force fired APKWS from an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft at a truck target during a test at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, validating the system's integration with fixed-wing platforms.
In 2016, the U.S. Army fired APKWS from an AH-64 Apache helicopter at a tank target during a test at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, proving the system's effectiveness against armored targets.
In 2017, the U.S. Navy fired APKWS from an F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft at a moving target during a test at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California, demonstrating the system's accuracy and flexibility.
In 2019, the U.S. Air Force fired APKWS from an AC-130 gunship at multiple ground targets during a test at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, showing the system's compatibility with special operations platforms.
How is APKWS developed and produced?
APKWS is a joint program of the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army, with the Navy serving as the lead service for acquisition. The program is managed by the Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space (PEO MS) at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, and the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) at Patuxent River, Maryland.
Who are the main contractors and partners of APKWS?
The main contractor for APKWS is BAE Systems, which developed the mid-body guidance unit and the DASALS technology. BAE Systems also provides systems engineering, integration, testing, production, and support for APKWS.
The main subcontractors and partners for APKWS are:
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, which produces the Hydra 70 rocket motors and warheads.
Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems (formerly Orbital ATK), which provides the composite rocket motor cases and launch tubes.
Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company, which supplies the safe and arm devices and fuzes.
Marvin Engineering Company, which manufactures the LAU-61 G/A digital rocket launcher.
Arnold Defense, which produces the M260 and M261 rocket launchers.
Wesco Aircraft Holdings, which serves as the distributor of APKWS to U.S. government customers.
What are the key features and upgrades of APKWS?
The APKWS system has several key features and upgrades that enhance its performance and capability, such as:
The Single Variant Block Upgrade, which improved the flight trajectory, increased the maximum range, reduced the minimum range, and expanded the field of regard of APKWS.
The Universal Guidance Section (UGS), which enables APKWS to be compatible with any existing 2.75-inch (70 mm) rocket motor and warhead combination without requiring modifications to the launcher or platform software.
The Fixed-Wing Guided Rocket (FWGR), which is a variant of APKWS designed specifically for fixed-wing aircraft, featuring a longer wingspan for increased lift and stability.
The Multi-Purpose Warhead (MPW), which is a new warhead option for APKWS that provides blast fragmentation and shaped charge effects for increased lethality against a wider range of targets.
How many APKWS have been delivered and ordered?
Since 2012, BAE Systems has delivered more than 35,000 APKWS units to the U.S. government and allied nations. The U.S. Navy has ordered more than 46,000 units of APKWS through 2023, while the U.S. Army has ordered more than 10,000 units through 2024. The U.S. Air Force has also ordered more than 4,000 units of APKWS through 2024.
In addition to the U.S. military services, several foreign countries have also purchased or expressed interest in APKWS, such as:
CountryStatus
AustraliaFirst international customer of APKWS in 2017
JordanSecond international customer of APKWS in 2018
NetherlandsThird international customer of APKWS in 2019
TunisiaFourth international customer of APKWS in 2020
EgyptPending approval from U.S. Congress for sale of APKWS in 2020
IraqPending approval from U.S. Congress for sale of APKWS in 2020
MoroccoPending approval from U.S. Congress for sale of APKWS in 2020
AfghanistanPending approval from U.S. Congress for sale of APKWS in 2020
LebanonPending approval from U.S. Congress for sale of APKWS in How is APKWS developed and produced?
APKWS is a joint program of the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army, with the Navy serving as the lead service for acquisition. The program is managed by the Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space (PEO MS) at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, and the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) at Patuxent River, Maryland.
Who are the main contractors and partners of APKWS?
The main contractor for APKWS is BAE Systems, which developed the mid-body guidance unit and the DASALS technology. BAE Systems also provides systems engineering, integration, testing, production, and support for APKWS.
The main subcontractors and partners for APKWS are:
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, which produces the Hydra 70 rocket motors and warheads.
Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems (formerly Orbital ATK), which provides the composite rocket motor cases and launch tubes.
Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company, which supplies the safe and arm devices and fuzes.
Marvin Engineering Company, which manufactures the LAU-61 G/A digital rocket launcher.
Arnold Defense, which produces the M260 and M261 rocket launchers.
Wesco Aircraft Holdings, which serves as the distributor of APKWS to U.S. government customers.
What are the key features and upgrades of APKWS?
The APKWS system has several key features and upgrades that enhance its performance and capability, such as:
The Single Variant Block Upgrade, which improved the flight trajectory, increased the maximum range, reduced the minimum range, and expanded the field of regard of APKWS.
The Universal Guidance Section (UGS), which enables APKWS to be compatible with any existing 2.75-inch (70 mm) rocket motor and warhead combination without requiring modifications to the launcher or platform software.
The Fixed-Wing Guided Rocket (FWGR), which is a variant of APKWS designed specifically for fixed-wing aircraft, featuring a longer wingspan for increased lift and stability.
The Multi-Purpose Warhead (MPW), which is a new warhead option for APKWS that provides blast fragmentation and shaped charge effects for increased lethality against a wider range of targets.
How many APKWS have been delivered and ordered?
Since 2012, BAE Systems has delivered more than 35,000 APKWS units to the U.S. government and allied nations. The U.S. Navy has ordered more than 46,000 units of APKWS through 2023, while the U.S. Army has ordered more than 10,000 units through 2024. The U.S. Air Force has also ordered more than 4,000 units of APKWS through 2024.
In addition to the U.S. military services, several foreign countries have also purchased or expressed interest in APKWS, such as:
CountryStatus
AustraliaFirst international customer of APKWS in 2017
JordanSecond international customer of APKWS in 2018
NetherlandsThird international customer of APKWS in 2019
TunisiaFourth international customer of APKWS in 2020
EgyptPending approval from U.S. Congress for sale of APKWS in 2020
IraqPending approval from U.S. Congress for sale of APKWS in 2020
MoroccoPending approval from U.S. Congress for sale of APKWS in 2020
AfghanistanPending approval from U.S. Congress for sale of APKWS in 2020
LebanonPending approval from U.S. Congress for sale of APKWS in 2021
TurkeyPending approval from U.S. Congress for sale of APKWS in 2021
BahrainPending approval from U.S. Congress for sale of APKWS in How is APKWS developed and produced?
APKWS is a joint program of the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army, with the Navy serving as the lead service for acquisition. The program is managed by the Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space (PEO MS) at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, and the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) at Patuxent River, Maryland.
Who are the main contractors and partners of APKWS?
The main contractor for APKWS is BAE Systems, which developed the mid-body guidance unit and the DASALS technology. BAE Systems also provides systems engineering, integration, testing, production, and support for APKWS.
The main subcontractors and partners for APKWS are:
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, which produces the Hydra 70 rocket motors and warheads.
Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems (formerly Orbital ATK), which provides the composite rocket motor cases and launch tubes.
Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company, which supplies the safe and arm devices and fuzes.
Marvin Engineering Company, which manufactures the LAU-61 G/A digital rocket launcher.
Arnold Defense, which produces the M260 and M261 rocket launchers.
Wesco Aircraft Holdings, which serves as the distributor of APKWS to U.S. government customers.
What are the key features and upgrades of APKWS?
The APKWS system has several key features and upgrades that enhance its performance and capability, such as:
The Single Variant Block Upgrade, which improved the flight trajectory, increased the maximum range, reduced the minimum range, and expanded the field of regard of APKWS.
The Universal Guidance Section (UGS), which enables APKWS to be compatible with any existing 2.75-inch (70 mm) rocket motor and warhead combination without requiring modifications to the launcher or platform software.
The Fixed-Wing Guided Rocket (FWGR), which is a variant of APKWS designed specifically for fixed-wing aircraft, featuring a longer wingspan for increased lift and stability.
The Multi-Purpose Warhead (MPW), which is a new warhead option for APKWS that provides blast fragmentation and shaped charge effects for increased lethality against a wider range of targets.
How many APKWS have been delivered and ordered?
Since 2012, BAE Systems has delivered more than 35,000 APKWS units to the U.S. government and allied nations. The U.S. Navy has ordered more than 46,000 units of APKWS through 2023, while the U.S. Army has ordered more than 10,000 units through 2024. The U.S. Air Force has also ordered more than 4,000 units of APKWS through 2024.
In addition to the U.S. military services, several foreign countries have also purchased or expressed interest in APKWS, such as:
CountryStatus
AustraliaFirst international customer of APKWS in 2017
JordanSecond international customer of APKWS in 2018
NetherlandsThird international customer of APKWS in 2019
TunisiaFourth international customer of APKWS in 2020
EgyptPending approval from U.S. Congress for sale of APKWS in 2020
IraqPending approval from U.S. Congress for sale of APKWS in 2020
MoroccoPending approval from U.S. Congress for sale of APKWS in 2020
AfghanistanPending approval from U.S. Congress for sale of APKWS in 2020
LebanonPending approval from U.S. Congress for sale of APKWS in 2021
TurkeyPending approval from U.S. Congress for sale of APKWS in 2021
BahrainPending approval from U.S. Congress for sale of APKWS in How is APKWS developed and produced?
APKWS is a joint program of the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army, with the Navy serving as the lead service for acquisition. The program is managed by the Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space (PEO MS) at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, and the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) at Patuxent River, Maryland.
Who are the main contractors and partners of APKWS?
The main contractor for APKWS is BAE Systems, which developed the mid-body guidance unit and the DASALS technology. BAE Systems also provides systems engineering, integration, testing, production, and support for APKWS.
The main subcontractors and partners for APKWS are:
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, which produces the Hydra 70 rocket motors and warheads.
Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems (formerly Orbital ATK), which provides the composite rocket motor cases and launch tubes.
Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company, which supplies the safe and arm devices and fuzes.
Marvin Engineering Company, which manufactures the LAU-61 G/A digital rocket launcher.
Arnold Defense, which produces the M260 and M261 rocket launchers.
Wesco Aircraft Holdings, which serves as the distributor of APKWS to U.S. government customers.
What are the key features and upgrades of APKWS?
The APKWS system has several key features and upgrades that enhance its performance and capability, such as:
The Single Variant Block Upgrade, which improved the flight trajectory, increased the maximum range, reduced the minimum range, and expanded the field of regard of APKWS.
The Universal Guidance Section (UGS), which enables APKWS to be compatible with any existing 2.75-inch (70 mm) rocket motor and warhead combination without requiring modifications to the launcher or platform software.
The Fixed-Wing Guided Rocket (FWGR), which is a variant of APKWS designed specifically for fixed-wing aircraft, featuring a longer wingspan for increased lift and stability.
The Multi-Purpose Warhead (MPW), which is a new warhead option for APKWS that provides blast fragmentation and shaped charge effects for increased lethality against a wider range of targets.
How many APKWS have been delivered and ordered?
Since 2012, BAE Systems has delivered more than 35,000 APKWS units to the U.S. government and allied nations. The U.S. Navy has ordered more than 46,000 units of APKWS through 2023, while the U.S. Army has ordered more than 10,000 units through 2024. The U.S. Air Force has also ordered more than 4,000 units of APKWS through 2024.
In addition to the U.S. military services, several foreign countries have also purchased or expressed interest in APKWS, such as:
CountryStatus
AustraliaFirst international customer of APKWS in 2017
JordanSecond international customer of APKWS in 2018
NetherlandsThird international customer of APKWS in 2019
TunisiaFourth international customer of APKWS in 2020
EgyptPending approval from U.S. Congress for sale of APKWS in 2020
IraqPending approval from U.S. Congress for sale of APKWS in 2020
MoroccoPending approval from U.S. Congress for sale of APKWS in 2020
AfghanistanPending approval from U.S. Congress for sale of APKWS in 2020
LebanonPending approval from U.S. Congress for sale of APKWS in 2021
TurkeyPending approval from U.S. Congress for sale of APKWS in 2021
BahrainPending approval from U.S. Congress for sale of APKWS in Conclusion
APKWS is a cost-effective and precise weapon system that converts unguided 2.75-inch (70 mm) rockets into precision guided munitions (PGMs) with a laser guidance kit. It offers several benefits over other weapons systems, such as lower cost, lower weight, lower collateral damage, higher hit rate, and broader capture area. It can be used for various missions and scenarios, such as close air support, air interdiction, maritime patrol, special operations, and urban warfare. It can be launched from multiple rotary-wing and fixed-wing platforms, and can engage a wide range of targets, such as lightly armored vehicles, maritime vessels, bunkers, buildings, enemy combatants, and moving or stationary targets. It is developed and produced by a joint program of the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army, with BAE Systems as the main contractor and several subcontractors and partners. It has several key features and upgrades that enhance its performance and capability, such as the Single Variant Block Upgrade, the Universal Guidance Section, the Fixed-Wing Guided Rocket, and the Multi-Purpose Warhead. It has been delivered and ordered by the U.S. government and allied nations in large quantities, and has been used in various combat and test scenarios with high success rates.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about APKWS:
What does APKWS stand for?
APKWS stands for Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System.
What is the difference between APKWS and Hydra 70?
Hydra 70 is an unguided 2.75-inch (70 mm) rocket that can be fitted with various warheads and fuzes. APKWS is a design conversion of Hydra 70 with a laser guidance kit that turns it into a precision guided munition (PGM).
How much does APKWS cost?
The unit cost of APKWS is approximately $28,000, which is about one-third the cost of the current inventory of laser-guided weapons.
How far can APKWS fly?
The maximum range of APKWS is about 8 kilometers (5 miles), while the minimum range is about 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles).
How accurate is APKWS?
The accuracy of APKWS is measured by the circular error probable (CEP), which is the radius of a circle within which half of the rockets would fall. The CEP of APKWS is less than 0.6 meters (2 feet), which means it has a very high hit rate.
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