The US Navy has contracted BAE Systems a $59.5 million contract to deliver additional APKWSTM guidance kits which transform unguided 2.75-inch (70-millimeter) rockets into laser-guided precision munitions.
The new award, which follows a recent contract for $180.5 million, is part of a 2016 indefinite delivery / indefinite quantity contract for more than $600 million. With the new award, BAE Systems said it has further reduced the per-unit cost for APKWS laser-guided rockets, reinforcing its commitment to deliver customer value.
“APKWS guidance kits are easy to use, cost-effective, and precise, and they seamlessly integrate with existing munitions and platforms,” said Rachel Guill, director of Precision Guidance Solutions at BAE Systems. “Our customers are demanding APKWS because of their extreme precision and mission effectiveness.”
The APKWS laser-guidance kits enable warfighters to transform standard 2.75-inch rockets into precision munitions. The rockets enable critical airborne platforms — including A-10 Thunderbolt II, AH-64 Apache, AH-1W/Z Super Cobra/Viper, AV-8B Harrier, F-16 Fighting Falcon, UH-1Y Venom, and other fixed- and rotary-wing platforms — to deliver efficient weapons to soft and lightly armored targets in confined areas while minimizing collateral damage.
APKWS rockets are the only guided 2.75-inch rockets qualified by the US Department of Defense and are used by the US Navy, US Marine Corps, US Army, and US Air Force.