BAE Systems Delivers 100,000th Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System

BAE Systems has announced the delivery of its 100,000th Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guidance kit, marking a significant milestone for the program and demonstrating its continued relevance to the U.S. Military and its allies. The achievement highlights BAE Systems’ capacity for mass production and supply of precision-guided munitions.

What is APKWS?

The APKWS is a design conversion of the Hydra 70 unguided rocket, transforming it into a precision-guided munition through the addition of a laser guidance kit [1]. It is the U.S. Government’s only Program of Record for the semi-active, laser-guided 2.75-inch (70mm) rocket [1]. The system is designed to be integrated with existing rocket motors, warheads, and fuzes, minimizing the need for entirely new infrastructure.

Key Features and Benefits

• Cost-Effective: APKWS is approximately one-third the cost of current laser-guided weapons [1].
• Lightweight: It is one-third the weight of other laser-guided weapons [1].
• Reduced Collateral Damage: The system has a lower yield, making it suitable for engagements where minimizing collateral damage is crucial [1].
• Rapid Loading: APKWS can be loaded and unloaded in one-quarter of the time required for other ordnance [1].
• Versatile Platforms: The APKWS guidance kit can be deployed on rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial systems, ground platforms, and maritime ships [3].

Applications and Deployment

APKWS is utilized in a variety of missions, including air-to-ground, ground-to-ground, surface-to-air, and air-to-air engagements. More recently, it has been employed in counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (C-UAS) missions [2]. The system is currently deployed across all branches of the U.S. Military – the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps – and is also available to international allies through Foreign Military Sales (FMS) [1].

Production and Future Outlook

APKWS laser-guidance kits are manufactured at BAE Systems’ facilities in Hudson, New Hampshire, and Austin, Texas [2]. BAE Systems was awarded a $1.7 billion contract by the U.S. Navy in December 2025 for continued production of the kits [4]. Nita Jayaraman, head of precision guidance sensing solutions at BAE Systems, stated that the company plans to meet future mission needs through new supply contracts [2].

The delivery of 100,000 APKWS units underscores the system’s importance in modern warfare and BAE Systems’ commitment to providing advanced, cost-effective solutions to the U.S. Military and its partners.