Artist’s concept of an F-16 aircraft firing an APKWS rocket. Credit: BAE Systems.

BAE Systems has secured a new $175m contract from the US Navy for the delivery of more than 7,000 advanced precision kill weapon system (APKWS) laser-guided rockets.

The deal has been awarded under a previous $600m indefinite delivery / indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract that was initially signed in 2016.

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"With APKWS, our customers get a high-quality, reliable, easy-to-use product that is designed to hit intended targets with extreme accuracy."

The original IDIQ contract covered the delivery of cost-efficient APKWS rockets to the US Navy, marine corps, army and airforce, as well as other allied nations.

BAE Systems Precision Guidance and Sensing Solutions director Marc Casseres said: “Global demand for our precision strike capabilities is being driven by a need for munitions that can strike soft targets with accuracy, surrounded by friendly forces, civilians and valuable assets.

“With APKWS, our customers get a high-quality, reliable, easy-to-use product that is designed to hit intended targets with extreme accuracy.”

The APKWSs are currently the only guided 2.75in rockets qualified for use by the US Department of Defense (DoD).

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The systems can be integrated onto multiple military rotary and fixed wing aircraft.

BAE’s latest APKWS technology is capable of transforming the standard 2.75in rockets into precision munitions by mounting a guidance kit between the warhead and the engine of an unguided rocket.

The acute precision of the rockets help reduce collateral damage to any assets in the close vicinity of the targets, which minimises risk for troops in the battlefield, while ensuring close air support.

The APKWS laser-guided rockets are manufactured at BAE’s US-based advanced precision-guidance production facilities in New Hampshire and Texas.