Army receives BAE Systems' laser-guided rockets

The U.S. Army recently acquired an initial shipment of BAE Systems’ Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guided rockets for use in ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The precision of the laser-guided rocket has proven highly successful in use by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

“With a long track record of success with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, we are confident that the U.S. Army will greatly benefit from this highly accurate, low-collateral-damage system,” David Harrold, director of precision guidance solutions at BAE Systems, said.

The Army is acquiring its initial supply of APKWS rockets out of the current Navy stock while working with BAE Systems and the Navy to secure additional rockets to meet ongoing demands. It is expected that the Army will immediately deploy the APKWS rocket in combat zones.

“The cooperation between military branches has been tremendous,” Harrold said. “Providing these weapons to our soldiers by leveraging a current program of record should be used as an example for other services and allied countries looking for this precision strike capability.”

The APKWS is a mid-body guidance kit that transforms a standard unguided munition into a precision laser-guided rocket. Initially, the Army will use the rocket on its AH-64 Apache while additional deployment platforms are under consideration.