The United States Navy (US Navy) has awarded BAE Systems a contract valued at US$1.7 billion for the production of thousands of laser guidance kits for APKWS (Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System) rockets. The agreement ensures the continued supply of this precision weapon system, which has become established as a low-cost, highly effective solution for countering drones and aerial threats across multiple operational theaters.
According to the company, the contract covers the manufacture of guidance kits that convert unguided 70 mm rockets into precision munitions capable of engaging targets with minimal collateral damage. The program, launched in 2012, has enabled the U.S. Armed Forces to field a flexible and cost-effective arsenal to address emerging threats.
The value of APKWS has been further reinforced recently through its use on a variety of platforms, including U.S. Air Force F-16 and F-15 fighter jets in the Middle East. In March 2025, the first confirmed shootdown of a Houthi drone using APKWS II guided rockets fired from a U.S. Fighting Falcon was reported, setting a precedent for the employment of low-cost munitions against unmanned aerial systems.
Ultimately, the US$1.7 billion contract awarded to BAE Systems not only guarantees the continuity of APKWS guidance kit production, but also reinforces the U.S. strategy of relying on affordable precision munitions to counter modern threats such as drones and cruise missiles.
About the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System
Known as the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, APKWS was developed as a way to leverage the large inventories of unguided Hydra 70 rockets in service with the U.S. Armed Forces. Developed by BAE Systems, it takes the form of a “plug-and-play” kit in which the unguided rocket is fitted with a low-cost semi-active laser seeker (DASALS), installed between the warhead and the rocket motor.
Today, APKWS is predominantly employed on various types of attack and transport helicopters for fire support and aerial escort missions. These include platforms such as the AH-64 Apache, as well as the AH-1Z Viper, UH-1Y, and the UH-60 Black Hawk family, among others. It is also used on combat aircraft such as the F-16 and F/A-18, and on attack aircraft like the A-10.
Photographs used for illustrative purposes.
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