BAE to Add Infrared Seeker to APKWS for USAF Counter-Drone Role
The US Air Force has awarded BAE Systems a contract worth up to $145 million for the development, production, and delivery of an infrared-guided air-to-air counter-drone system based on the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS).
The dual-mode APKWS will build on the laser-guided system’s improved derivative developed under the Fixed Wing, Air Launched, Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Ordnance (FALCO) program.
According to Naval News, the requirement stems from an urgent operational need identified by US Central Command in response to the growing threat posed by Group 3 unmanned aerial systems (UAS) — weighing more than 55 pounds (25 kilograms) — to US forces operating in the Middle East.
The weapon systems are planned to be integrated on the US Air Force’s F-16 fleet and the US Navy’s MH-60 helicopter fleet as early as this fall, Naval News reported.
However, a Department of Defense contract notice specifies that the first delivery order is expected to be completed by July 2027, while the overall contract runs from February 12 this year through February 12, 2031.
Precision Kit
The APKWS is a low-cost precision kit that converts standard 70-millimeter (2.75-inch) unguided rockets into laser-guided munitions, enabling accurate engagement of soft or lightly armored, fixed or moving air and ground targets.
In its air-to-air role, the system incorporates a proximity fuze to defeat maneuvering targets such as drones without requiring a direct hit. Under the FALCO program, the system has undergone a software upgrade to enable more capable air-to-air engagements against UAS.
FALCO-configured rockets have already been deployed from US Air Force fixed-wing aircraft against Houthi targets over the Red Sea.
Infrared-Guided APKWS
Building on this capability, the latest APKWS iteration incorporates an improved infrared counter-UAS seeker, eliminating the need for continuous laser designation by the pilot and enabling faster, more flexible drone interceptions.
In addition to a nose-mounted long-wave infrared seeker, the upgraded configuration reportedly features a mid-body warhead with a dual-safe proximity fuze.
The new seeker supports a laser-to-infrared switch, shortening lasing time while enabling faster engagements against maneuvering or massed unmanned aircraft and allowing fighters to carry a dozen or more missiles per sortie, significantly increasing counter-UAS firepower.
Changes to the baseline FALCO system aim to reduce production costs and enable large-scale delivery, with 300 prototype missiles reportedly planned under the contract. Of these, 100 will be used for integration and testing, with 200 retained for evaluation and contingency use in the Middle East.
