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Dumb rockets get really smart with a little tweaking: U.S. Air Force deploys BAE Systems' laser-guided rockets on F-16s

The U.S. Air Force has acquired BAE Systems' Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guided rockets for use in ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Air Force fielded the initial units to fulfill an urgent operational need for F-16 and A-10 aircraft, and it has already successfully used the weapon in combat operations. Essentially, APKWS makes "dumb" weapons precision "smart" ones with relative ease.

An artist rendering of the APKWS laser-guided rocket fired from an F-16 aircraft. (Photo: BAE Systems)

 

 

The deployment marks the first time these systems have been used in combat operations from an Air Force fixed-wing platform and comes on the heels of the U.S. Marine Corps fielding the rockets on AV-8B fixed-wing aircraft.

The APKWS rocket, a mid-body guidance kit that transforms a standard unguided munition into a precision laser-guided rocket [see video below], has proven highly successful for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps since 2012 and has also been used by U.S. Army Apache helicopters in combat.

"The APKWS rocket's innovative ‘plug-and-play' design makes it possible to deploy these systems on a variety of platforms," said David Harrold, director of Precision Guidance Solutions at BAE Systems. "The Navy and Air Force deserve immense credit for streamlining the acquisition process by leveraging an existing Navy program of record to meet the needs of all our military services. We are confident that the addition of this highly accurate, low-collateral-damage weapon system will be a game-changer for F-16 and A-10 users in the U.S. Air Force and around the world."

Similar to the Army's acquisition of APKWS last year, the Air Force is acquiring its initial supply of rockets out of the current Navy inventory and is working with BAE Systems and the Navy to secure additional units to meet ongoing demands.

Currently in its fourth year of full-rate production and qualified or demonstrated on more than a dozen rotary and fixed-wing platforms, the APKWS is the only U.S. Department of Defense fully qualified, guided 2.75-in. rocket that uses semi-active laser guidance technology.

Systems highlights
The APKWS laser-guided rocket demonstrates extreme precision, reliability, and versatility in theater and in testing. The system also provides new combat capabilities for air, ground, and sea-based platforms and features:

• Better than 93 percent hit rate.
• Demonstrated on more than 12 platforms.
• No modifications to the rocket, firing platform, or fire control/launcher system needed.
• Minimal training needed for the crew.

Source: BAE Systems

Published July 2016

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