Missiles & Munitions :: Rockets :: APKWS :: APKWS II

APKWS II

IOC: 2008
Also Known As: MK 90 Hydra-70

Origin: United States of America

Contractor/s: BAE Systems, General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman

Description: The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) is a derivative of combat-proven MK 90 Hydra 70mm unguided rocket employed by US fixed and rotary wing aircraft. The APKWS rocket features a semi-active laser guidance system which provides enhanced accuracy over existing unguided rockets. The APKWS will be able to achieve a direct hit on both moving and stationary targets.

This innovative weapon consists of General Dynamics' Hydra-70 70mm unguided rocket offering several warhead configuration and BAE System's Distributed Aperture Semi-Active Laser Seeker (DASALS).

The APKWS development test series began in 2002. Test launch series are conducted from a ground-based M260 rocket launcher aiming at surrogate targets varying from 1,500 to 5,500 meters range. The test data is used to update the rocket built-in guidance autopilot. Flight tests are being carried out in Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, by a General Dynamics, BAE Systems and US government team.

The US Army original APKWS program was replaced by the APKWS II program which inherited the efforts and technology developed under its parent program. APKWS II intends to attain further cost savings for the US Army through contract competition approach. Two industry teams are bidding for this program with the winner to be selected by the US Army before the end of 2005. Lockheed Martin and Raytheon are leading the two industry teams. Both APKWS II proposals are build upon Hydra-70 rocket body manufactured by General Dynamics.

On April 27, 2006, the US Army announced the selection of BAE Systems as prime contractor for the APKWS II program. The APKWS II precision-guided rocket critical design review was planned for July 2006 and series production were anticipated by 2008. BAE Systems won this contract in partnership with Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics. Its APKWS II solution employs Distributed Aperture Semi-Active Laser Seeker (DASALS) technology also utilized on the PGMM.

Parent system is the APKWS
Applications:

Combat Helicopters
Tactical Support Helicopters
Tactical Unmanned Rotorcrafts
Trainers & Light Attack Aircraft

AH-1W Super Cobra, AH-1Z Viper and ARH-70A

MD-540F and UH-1Y Super Huey

MQ-8B Fire Scout

A-10A Thunderbolt II and A-10C Thunderbolt II

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:: Specifications ::

Dimensions
Caliber: 70 millimeter

Performance
CEP: 1 meter
Max Range: 5,500 meter
Min Range: 1,500 meter

Weight
Weight: 35 pound (15.9 kilogram)

:: News ::

There are 29 news between
16 Sep 2003
and
9 Apr 2013

1 2 3

Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System Demonstrates Anti-Ship Capability US Air Force A-10 Fires its First APKWS II Laser-guided Rocket Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System Being Integrated on Bell 407GT Helicopter More Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System Rockets Headed to US Marines in Theater US Navy to Integrate APKWS on MQ-8B Fire Scout Unmanned Rotorcraft Test Demonstrates APKWS Short-Range Accuracy and Penetrator Warhead Performance US Marine Corps Deploys Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System to Afghanistan US Marine Corps Complete Test and Evaluation of APKWS Laser-Guided Rocket Beechcraft AT-6 Becomes First Fixed-Wing Aircraft to Employ Laser Guided Rockets UH-1Y Helicopter Successfully Fires Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System

:: Operators ::

Operators
	Country	Items	Country	Items
	United States of America	?

fully confirmed operational planned retired cancelled destroyed

:: Image Gallery ::

There are 5 images added between
8 Dec 2006
and
4 Apr 2013

:: Notes & Resources ::

Last Updated:
Wednesday, April 10, 2013

(*) lead contractor

IOC: Initial Operating Capability
FOC: Full Operating Capability
CEP: Circular Error Probable
Comm: Commissioning Date
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