BAE Systems receives an order from the US Navy worth up to EUR 1.45 billion – depending on the exercise of options – for the continued production of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser guidance systems.
The order for seeker heads for precision missiles comprises an immediate order worth 276 million euros with a term of five years. The guidance kits are available to all US armed forces and allies as part of arms exports.
The APKWS laser guidance system transforms an unguided 70-millimeter missile (2.75-inch/Hydra 70) into a cost-effective, laser-guided weapon for precision strikes. APKWS kits have proven themselves in combat as air-to-ground, surface-to-surface, surface-to-air and air-to-air munitions. Operators can use the combat-proven kit to engage a variety of soft and armored, stationary and moving targets while minimizing collateral damage.
The highly versatile missile can be deployed from a variety of platforms, including rotary and fixed wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, ground platforms and ships. The APKWS guidance set is compatible with both new and existing stocks of rocket motors, warheads and fuses.
BAE Systems has been producing the APKWS steering set for more than twelve years. Over 50,000 units have been delivered to date.
Austria’s armed forces procure comparable system
The Austrian Armed Forces has also placed an order for the AW169MA Lion light multi-purpose helicopter (-> To date, eleven aircraft have been handed over to the Austrian Armed Forces) and the advanced jet trainer M-346FA (-> The purchase of twelve jets of this type was recently finalized) a comparable weapon system has been procured.
This is the laser-guided precision rocket FZ-275 LGR, a further development of the Hydra-70 family, which is manufactured by Thales Belgium comes from the manufacturer Thales Belgium.
Here for further reports on the US armed forces and here to further news about BAE Systems.
