Precision at scale: APKWS counters the threat

Today’s threat environment is increasingly shaped by low-cost drones, high‑volume attacks that can overwhelm defenses, and diverse air and surface threats. In response, forces need munitions that adapt quickly across mission sets, are upgradable, dependable, and scalable. 

BAE Systems’ APKWS laser-guidance kit continues to meet that need by turning widely available 70millimeter rockets into accurate, low‑collateral weapons for counter‑UAS, air‑to‑air, and multi‑mission roles across U.S. and allied forces. Recent operations and tests show units can move from evaluation to live missions rapidly, delivering intercepts at a fraction of the cost of traditional air‑to‑air missiles while providing a cost‑effective way to scale precision strikes across a broad set of targets.

Versatility across missions and platforms

APKWS has more than a decade of high-volume production behind it with a long record of fielding across U.S. services and partner nations. Designed to transform unguided rockets into precision‑guided munitions, it is combat‑proven for air‑to‑surface, surface‑to‑surface, surface‑to‑air, and air‑to‑air employment.

The kit is qualified on a wide range of platforms, including rotary‑wing and fixed‑wing aircraft, unmanned systems, ground launchers, and maritime vessels. Its rapid integration, easy maintenance, dependable performance, and broad platform compatibility allow units to adopt and deploy the capability quickly in multiple theaters. 

That flexibility matters as threats evolve. 

In 2025, the U.S. Air Force announced its sprint-like effort to integrate and demonstrate APKWS laser-guided rockets on the F-15E Strike Eagle. The integrated developmental and operational flight testing, including live fire at targets over land and water, was an expedited fielding push to deliver capability to the warfighter immediately. The goal of adding this capability to the Strike Eagle’s arsenal was to bring it into the counter-unmanned aerial system fight in a cost-effective way alongside the F-16.

This year, BAE Systems completed a Eurofighter Typhoon test in the United Kingdom that struck a ground target and set up the next phase of air‑to‑air trials, emphasizing a cost‑effective counter‑UAS option for the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) fighter. Rapid collaboration between industry partners, the RAF, and the Ministry of Defence moved the capability from testing to operational deployment in less than two months. Trials included air‑to‑air engagements that demonstrated effectiveness in real scenarios. APKWS is now in operational use on Typhoon, enhancing versatility and supporting persistent air defense while managing costs and resources more effectively.

In parallel with fighter integrations, the same flexibility is being extended to tactical unmanned platforms. 

Recent trials achieved the first air‑to‑air engagement of an APKWS‑guided rocket from a multirotor TRV-150, with zero misses across air‑to‑air and air‑to‑ground shots, demonstrating a low‑cost strike and counter‑UAS option for frontline units. A follow‑on event showcased a three‑shot rocket launcher on the TRV-150, part of an industry‑led effort designed to push precision‑strike capability down to the battalion level.

APKWS was also recently demonstrated on the MQ‑9A Reaper, where flight tests featured multiple types and variations of shot profiles, including aerial targets, all executed flawlessly by MQ‑9A crews using laser‑guided rockets and a specialized launcher. 

APKWS also enables surface‑to‑air counter‑UAS from mobile and fixed ground launchers, delivering precise, cost-effective intercepts to bolster base and site defense. Field demonstrations and operational use of ground systems firing APKWS have shown rapid integration and effective engagements, with proximity‑fuzed rockets improving kill probability against small aerial targets. The approach leverages widely available 70‑mm launchers and laser designation to scale capability quickly across units, and it is proven across a variety of platforms to support layered air defense.

Agility, capacity, and speed

BAE Systems continues to scale production to meet demand. 

In early 2026, the company delivered the 100,000th APKWS guidance kit, a milestone that reflects sustained demand and a mature industrial base. Production from multiple facilities supports high-volume delivery to U.S. forces and allies while continuous upgrades keep pace with evolving mission needs. 

With current production capacity of at least 25,000 kits per year and continuing to expand production, BAE Systems is well‑positioned to meet rising demand.

A recent $1.7 billion, multi‑year IDIQ contract from the U.S. Navy further solidifies this capacity. This production capacity is particularly critical as demand surges for C‑UAS interceptors, with BAE Systems able to deliver tens of thousands of cost‑effective APKWS guidance kits, quickly and reliably.

Together, these milestones underscore an innovative, agile guidance kit at scale, backed by a robust supply chain and established manufacturing capacity.

Counter the threat. Control the cost.

Rising domestic and international demand underscores the value of APKWS as a low‑collateral, cost‑effective counter‑UAS and multi‑mission solution. The guidance kit is available to all U.S. armed forces and to allies via foreign defense sales, providing a reliable, affordable option for precision‑strike effects across platforms.

Built on high‑volume manufacturing and dependable performance, APKWS enables rapid, efficient delivery of advanced capabilities to the warfighter at the scale demanded by today’s operations.