APKWS: The Precision-Guided Rocket That Can Hit Targets With Pinpoint Accuracy

Introduction

What is APKWS and why is it important?
How does it work and what are its advantages?
What are some of the platforms and missions that use APKWS?

What is APKWS and why is it important?

The history and development of APKWS
The gap between unguided rockets and anti-armor munitions
The cost-effectiveness and versatility of APKWS

How does it work and what are its advantages?

The components and design of APKWS
The Distributed Aperture Semi-Active Laser Seeker (DASALS) technology
The accuracy, range, speed, and lethality of APKWS

What are some of the platforms and missions that use APKWS?

The launch platforms and compatibility of APKWS
The operational use and performance of APKWS in various scenarios
The future plans and potential of APKWS for different users

Conclusion

A summary of the main points and benefits of APKWS
A call to action or a recommendation for further reading or research

FAQs

What is the difference between a rocket and a missile?
How many APKWS rockets can be fired in one sortie?
How does APKWS compare to other guided rockets or missiles?
What are the challenges or limitations of using APKWS?
Where can I learn more about APKWS?

Now that I have the outline, I will start writing the article based on it. Here is the article:

APKWS: The Precision-Guided Rocket That Can Hit Targets With Pinpoint Accuracy

If you are looking for a weapon that can strike targets with precision and minimal collateral damage, you might want to check out the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS). This is a system that converts unguided rockets into laser-guided munitions that can hit targets with sniper-like accuracy. In this article, we will explain what APKWS is, how it works, and what are some of the platforms and missions that use it.

What is APKWS and why is it important?

APKWS is a system that transforms unguided 2.75-inch (70 millimeter) rockets like the Hydra 70 Mk 66 and others into precision-guided munitions (PGMs) by adding a mid-body guidance unit developed by BAE Systems. It is the U.S. government’s only Program of Record for the semi-active, laser-guided 2.75-inch rocket.

APKWS is important because it fills the gap between unguided rockets and anti-armor munitions like the AGM-114 Hellfire. Unguided rockets are cheap and plentiful, but they have low accuracy and high risk of collateral damage. Anti-armor munitions are accurate and powerful, but they are expensive and overkill for lightly armored or soft targets. APKWS offers a cost-effective and versatile solution that can engage a wide range of targets with precision and low collateral damage.

APKWS is approximately one-third the cost and one-third the weight of the current inventory of laser-guided weapons, has a lower yield more suitable for avoiding collateral damage, and takes one quarter of the time for ordnance personnel to load and unload. It also has a longer shelf life than other guided munitions, making it easier to store and transport.

How does it work and what are its advantages?

The key component of APKWS is the WGU-59/B mid-body guidance unit, which contains the Distributed Aperture Semi-Active Laser Seeker (DASALS) technology, which enables the rocket to lock on to a laser spot from the launch platform or another source. The guidance unit also has four movable wings that steer the rocket towards the target. The guidance unit can be attached to any existing 2.75-inch rocket motor and warhead without modifications, making it compatible with a variety of platforms and payloads.

The advantages of APKWS are its accuracy, range, speed, and lethality. APKWS has a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 2 meters, meaning that 50% of the rockets will land within 2 meters of the laser spot. APKWS has a range of up to 14 kilometers, depending on the launch altitude and speed. APKWS can reach speeds of up to Mach 2.4, making it faster than most anti-armor missiles. APKWS can deliver a variety of warheads, such as high explosive, fragmentation, flechette, illumination, smoke, and training.

What are some of the platforms and missions that use APKWS?

APKWS can be launched from a wide range of platforms, including fixed-wing aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and naval vessels. Some of the platforms that have integrated or tested APKWS include the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the A-10 Thunderbolt II, the AV-8B Harrier II, the AH-64 Apache, the AH-1Z Viper, the UH-1Y Venom, the MH-60S Seahawk, the MQ-1C Gray Eagle, and the MQ-8B Fire Scout.

APKWS can be used for various missions, such as close air support, air interdiction, strike coordination and reconnaissance, suppression of enemy air defenses, maritime security operations, and special operations. Some of the scenarios where APKWS has been used or demonstrated include:

In 2012, APKWS was first deployed in Afghanistan by U.S. Marine Corps AH-1W Cobra helicopters, where it successfully engaged targets such as vehicles, bunkers, and enemy fighters.
In 2015, APKWS was first fired from a U.S. Navy MH-60S helicopter in the Arabian Gulf, where it hit a fast-moving small boat in a simulated swarm attack.
In 2016, APKWS was first fired from a U.S. Army MQ-1C drone in Iraq, where it destroyed an Islamic State truck bomb.
In 2017, APKWS was first fired from a U.S. Air Force A-10 jet in Afghanistan, where it struck a Taliban narcotics production facility.
In 2018, APKWS was first fired from a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet jet in Yemen, where it hit a moving vehicle carrying al-Qaeda militants.

Conclusion

APKWS is a system that converts unguided rockets into laser-guided munitions that can hit targets with pinpoint accuracy. It is a cost-effective and versatile weapon that can engage a wide range of targets with minimal collateral damage. It can be launched from various platforms and used for various missions in different environments. APKWS is a proven and reliable system that has been deployed and tested by multiple users and allies.

If you are interested in learning more about APKWS or other precision-guided weapons, you can visit the official website of BAE Systems or read some of the articles and reports that we have referenced below.

FAQs

Here are some of the frequently asked questions about APKWS:

What is the difference between a rocket and a missile?

A rocket is a self-propelled projectile that follows a ballistic trajectory and does not have any guidance system. A missile is a self-propelled projectile that has a guidance system and can change its course during flight.

How many APKWS rockets can be fired in one sortie?

The number of APKWS rockets that can be fired in one sortie depends on the platform and the configuration. For example, an AH-64 Apache helicopter can carry up to 16 APKWS rockets in four pods of four rockets each. An A-10 Thunderbolt II jet can carry up to 38 APKWS rockets in seven pods of seven rockets each.

How does APKWS compare to other guided rockets or missiles?

APKWS is more accurate than unguided rockets or other guided rockets that use inertial or GPS guidance systems. It is more cost-effective than anti-armor missiles or other guided missiles that have larger warheads and more complex guidance systems. It is more versatile than other guided weapons that have specific target types or environmental conditions. It is more reliable than other guided weapons that have shorter shelf lives or higher maintenance requirements.

What are the challenges or limitations of using APKWS?

Some of the challenges or limitations of using APKWS are:

The availability and quality of the laser designation source, which can be affected by weather, terrain, or countermeasures.
The line-of-sight requirement between the laser designator and the target, which can be obstructed by obstacles, smoke, or dust.
The coordination and communication between the launch platform and the laser designator, which can be disrupted by jamming, interference, or human error.
The rules of engagement and the laws of armed conflict, which may restrict the use of APKWS in certain situations or areas.

Where can I learn more about APKWS?

You can learn more about APKWS by visiting the following websites or sources:

[BAE Systems], the developer and manufacturer of APKWS.
[U.S. Navy], the lead service for APKWS.
[U.S. Army], the largest user of APKWS.
[Defense News], a media outlet that covers defense and security issues.
[The Drive], a media outlet that covers military and automotive topics.

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and learned something new about APKWS. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for your time and attention.

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