BAE Systems has delivered its 100,000th advanced precision kill weapon system (APKWS), marking a production milestone for its laser-guidance kit.
The APKWS has been in full-rate production for more than 12 years, with manufacturing carried out at BAE’s facilities in Hudson, New Hampshire, and Austin, Texas.
It converts unguided 2.75-inch (70-millimeter) rockets into precision-guided munitions to achieve accurate air-to-surface, surface-to-surface, surface-to-air, and air-to-air strikes with minimal collateral damage.
The US Army, US Air Force, US Navy, and the US Marine Corps, as well as allied countries like Saudi Arabia and the UK, field the laser-guidance kit.
“With over a decade of proven performance, reliability, and accuracy, APKWS guidance kits have supported precision-strike missions worldwide,” said Neeta Jayaraman, director of Precision Guidance and Sensing Solutions at BAE Systems.
Flexible Solution
APKWS is a flexible and cost-efficient solution that can engage a variety of threats, including light armored vehicles, personnel, and drones.
It is compatible with fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft — and recently, some uncrewed aerial vehicles — as well as ground vehicles and naval vessels.
In addition, the kit is easily integrated with existing rocket motors, warheads, and fuzes with minimal training and maintenance required.
BAE continues to work on APKWS upgrades and development for mission-specific roles.
In July 2025, a multi-rotor TRV-150 drone struck air and ground targets with APKWS-equipped rockets, marking the first air-to-air engagement of its kind.
Also in the same year, the US Air Force rapidly modified its F-15E Strike Eagle so it could be armed with the APKWS II to strike against drone threats.
Moreover, it is being explored as a potential counter-drone option on the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet and the Gripen combat aircraft.
