HUDSON, N.H. — BAE Systems announced that the U.S. Navy has signed a $2.68 billion contract for the purchase of thousands of additional APKWS laser-guided rockets, the company said in a release.
“Our armed forces customers are looking to apply just the right amount of force at the right location to execute their missions without unnecessary damage,” said Marc Casseres, director of precision guidance and sensing solutions at BAE. “APKWS rockets provide warfighters with the unique ability to precisely engage targets without excessive force, reducing the risk to nearby forces, civilians and assets. It’s the driving force behind growing global demand.”
APKWS rockets fill the gap between unguided rockets and large precision munitions and are the U.S. government’s only program of record for 2.75-inch laser-guided rockets. APKWS guidance kits are compatible with new inventories of rocket motors, warheads and launchers and easily transform unguided rockets into precision munitions with little training.
The indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract enables the Navy to purchase APKWS guidance kits over a five-year period, representing full-rate production lots 8 through 12. To meet growing demand, BAE Systems has ramped up production at its advanced manufacturing facilities in Hudson, New Hampshire, and Austin, Texas, and established a robust supply chain.
The APKWS laser-guided rocket is used by the Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, Air Force and U.S. Army and is available to allied nations via foreign military sales.
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