Upgraded APKWS Guidance Kits Improve Rocket Range and Impact

The upgrade will improve the range of BAE Systems’ APKWS guided rockets by up to 30%, enabling warfighters to hit targets from a greater standoff distance and at a steeper angle of attack By DA Staff / 13 Aug 2021

Discover Leading Defense Technology Solutions

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Follow DA

BAE Systems, Inc. has developed an advanced version of its Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) guidance kit that offers enhanced strike distance and precision strike lethality. 

The upgrade will improve the range of APKWS guided rockets by up to 30%, enabling warfighters to hit targets from a greater standoff distance. The guidance kit transforms an unguided rocket into a precision-guided system.

APKWS is the U.S. government’s only program of record for guiding 2.75-inch laser-guided rockets, providing an efficient, low-cost weapon in the U.S. arsenal of precision munitions. The system can be launched from rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft and unmanned platforms to hit ground, air or sea-based targets.

“We’re focused on evolving APKWS guidance kits to provide them with a more capable low-cost product that’s easy to use and known for its accuracy,” said John Watkins, vice president and general manager of Precision Strike & Sensing Solutions at BAE Systems.

The upgraded APKWS guidance kits help to create an optimized flight trajectory to enable the rocket to engage targets at a steeper angle of attack. The optimized attack trajectory improves first-shot success against stationary and moving targets.

It will also result in logistical benefits as a single variant of the weapon will be qualified for rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft across the U.S. armed forces customers, easing stock management and reducing the cognitive load on pilots. 

An upgrade to the surface danger zone logic also provides better training range options in certain conditions, allowing crews to improve their proficiency at home stations.

The guidance kits are manufactured at the company’s production facility in Hudson, New Hampshire. The initial production of APKWS block upgrade guidance kits is expected to start in Q3 2021.

Posted by DA Staff Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

Honeywell Unveils Resilient INS with Anti-Jamming Technology

Honeywell has launched its new HGuide o480 INS, delivering precise, resilient navigation with anti-jamming technology for compact unmanned systems operating in GPS-denied or contested environments

May 21, 2025
Trillium Gimbal Enhances Imaging for Launched Effects & Loitering Munitions

Trillium Engineering introduces the HD25-LV-C, a lightweight imaging system optimized for cost-constrained, expendable platforms like Launched Effects and loitering munitions

May 21, 2025
New Hybrid Solution for Long-Term GNSS-Denied Navigation

Advanced Navigation has demonstrated a major breakthrough with a Hybrid Navigation System designed for GPS-denied environments, combining a strategic-grade FOG INS with a laser velocity sensor

May 21, 2025
GA-ASI Integrates Optix Software for USMC Weapons & Tactics Instructor Course

GA-ASI integrated the Optix software into the U.S. Marine Corps' Common Intelligence Picture (CIP), advancing ISR capabilities during the recent Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course

May 21, 2025
New AI Platform & Autonomous Underwater Glider Unveiled for Maritime Surveillance

Helsing is launching the Lura software platform and SG-1 Fathom autonomous underwater glider—a new maritime surveillance system that uses advanced AI to detect and deter underwater threats with speed, precision, and scale

May 21, 2025
Elistair to Supply Tethered Drones for Enhanced Wildfire Response in Greece

Elistair will supply tethered drone systems to Greece for integration into Mobile Operations Centers, enhancing the country's disaster response capabilities

May 21, 2025

Featured Content

New Line of Kinetic-Capable Unmanned Surface Vessels Introduced

Red Cat Holdings enters the maritime autonomy market with a new line of combat-proven USVs, expanding its multi-domain unmanned systems for naval operations

May 20, 2025
Next-Gen Group 2 UAS Enters Production with Extended Endurance & Upgrades

Aurora Flight Sciences upgrades the SKIRON-X Group 2 UAS with greater versatility and tactical mission endurance, as well as announcing the hydrogen-powered SKIRON-XLE variant

May 13, 2025
Discover ANELLO’s SiPhOG™ for GNSS-Denied Navigation at XPO25

CEO of ANELLO Photonics, Dr. Mario Paniccia, will present at Xponential 2025 on the company's SiPhOG-based inertial navigation technology in GPS-denied and GNSS-contested environments.

May 09, 2025
Advancing Defense Capability Through Strategic Collaboration Defense Advancement works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive defense capabilities forward.