Drone hunting heralds a new epoch in warfare, concentrating on the detection, tracking,
and neutralization of enemy unmanned aerial systems, or drones, that may pose a threat
to military operations, infrastructure, or civilian populations, in a cost-effective
and safer manner.
This burgeoning field has ushered in a new era of warfare.
As smaller drones continue to leave an indelible impact on global conflict strategies, defense
and security titan BAE Systems has taken the initiative to develop and test cost-effective
munitions tailored to combat the burgeoning threat of mid-sized Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.
As smaller drones increasingly make their mark on global conflict strategies, defense
and security giant BAE Systems took the initiative to adapt and test cost-effective munitions
specifically designed to counter the growing menace of mid-sized UAVs.
Enter the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System.
This cutting-edge system represents the dynamic evolution of military technology in response
to ever-emerging threats on modern battlefields.
Although not explicitly designed for countering drones, its precision-guided capabilities
have proven to be a formidable adversary against them.
Furthermore, the potential applications of this technology continue to expand…
More Precision Than Ever
Aiming to minimize collateral damage while maintaining lethal effectiveness on the battlefield,
the United States Navy initiated the development of a groundbreaking weapon system in the early
2000s.
The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, or APKWS, transforms the existing Hydra 70
unguided rockets into formidable precision-guided munitions.
As the primary developer of the APKWS, BAE Systems set out to create a guidance kit that
would seamlessly integrate with such a rocket.
The outcome was a state-of-the-art mid-body guidance section equipped with a semi-active
laser guidance technology design.
This ingenious idea enabled the APKWS to lock onto targets with remarkable accuracy, offering
a new level of surgical precision in the heat of battle.
With a length of 73.8 inches and a weight of approximately 32 pounds, the APKWS is a
compact and relatively lightweight weapon.
The cutting-edge guidance kit features Distributed Aperture Semi-Active Laser Seeker or DASALS
technology, which provides exceptional target acquisition and tracking capabilities and
ensures that the APKWS can accurately engage both stationary and moving targets, even in
challenging environments with limited visibility.
Boasting a range of up to 3.1 miles and a maximum speed of Mach 1.3, the APKWS's design
is a valuable asset for close air support and strike missions, allowing for rapid engagement
of targets while minimizing the risk of collateral damage.
The combat-proven rockets are also highly effective against a diverse array of both
soft and armored stationary and moving targets.
The system's potent munitions can be launched from a variety of platforms, including jets,
helicopters, trucks, vessels, and weapon stations.
As of 2023, the APKWS guidance kits stand as the sole United States government program
of record for 70-millimeter laser-guided rockets.
At Work
The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System has an operational history dating back to
the early 2010s, featuring successful deployments in various combat scenarios.
An essential tool for modern warfare, the model's versatility has facilitated widespread
adoption across the United States military, encompassing the Navy and Air Force.
The APKWS was engineered to provide a highly accurate and cost-effective solution for engaging
targets with minimal collateral damage.
This unprecedented level of precision offers the Marine Corps an invaluable advantage in
neutralizing threats while significantly reducing the risk of collateral damage to civilians
and friendly forces.
The US Marine Corps first deployed the APKWS in combat in Afghanistan in 2012, employing
the AH-1W Super Cobra and UH-1Y Venom helicopters, where it showcased its precision strike capabilities
by engaging targets with exceptional accuracy and reliability.
Following its successful deployment in Afghanistan, the APKWS has seen increased utilization across
various branches, extending to the Navy and Air Force.
The system has been integrated into numerous rotary-wing and fixed-wing platforms, such
as the AH-64 Apache, UH-60 Black Hawk, AH-1Z Viper, A-10 Thunderbolt II, and F-16 Fighting
Falcon.
In addition to its use by the US military, the APKWS has been exported to several international
customers, further broadening its operational history.
Countries like Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and the Netherlands have procured the APKWS to
bolster the precision strike capabilities of their forces.
Over the years, the APKWS has undergone numerous modifications and enhancements, making it
one of the most sought-after precision-guided munitions on the modern battlefield.
With two variants that improve speed and accuracy, the APKWS continues to evolve and adapt to
the ever-changing demands of the battlefield, ensuring that its legacy as a precise and
efficient weapon system continues to make a difference.
Drone Hunter Missile
Throughout the years, the APKWS has been employed to target a wide variety of assets, including
armored vehicles, bunkers, and small boats.
As the prominence of smaller drones continues to grow in the planning and execution of global
conflicts, defense and security firm BAE Systems opted to adapt and test more cost-effective
munitions to combat them.
Though not explicitly designed for countering drones, the APKWS's precision-guided capabilities
render it suitable for use against small, fast-moving targets.
The APKWS guidance kit holds the distinction of being the only United States government
program of record that enables 70-millimeter unguided rockets to be transformed into precision-guided
munitions, providing rotary- and fixed-wing military aircraft with an affordable surgical
strike capability.
According to BAE Systems, the outcome is a highly accurate yet relatively inexpensive
supersonic, lock-on-after-launch strike weapon fitted with a sizable 10-pound warhead capable
of destroying large drones within seconds, either with or without direct contact.
This significantly reduces or completely eliminates collateral damage.
The concept was tested in November of 2022 and revealed in a press release the following
month.
Video footage of the trials depicts a General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon soaring over
the sea and launching the compact rocket from a belly-mounted launcher.
The company reports that they have completed ground-to-air test firings to demonstrate
the effectiveness of 2.75-inch rockets guided by APKWS against Class-2 unmanned aerial systems
weighing between 25 and 50 pounds and capable of traveling at speeds exceeding 100 miles
per hour.
Put To The Test
In a statement, Greg Procopio, Director of Precision Guidance and Sensing Solutions at
BAE Systems, said that: [QUOTE] "Militarized drones are becoming more prevalent in conflicts
around the world, and we're giving our customers an efficient way to counter them without wasting
expensive missiles [...] Our tests demonstrate that APKWS guidance kits have the flexibility
to engage a variety of targets to meet the evolving mission needs of the warfighter."
The concept of using the APKWS in this role originated from a weapons and tactics conference
in January 2019 and was developed with support from various branches of the Air Force.
During a late 2022 demonstration in Southern Arizona, five APKWS-guided counter-UAS rockets
were launched from a containerized weapon system, successfully destroying every target,
including fast-moving drones.
In addition to the mid-sized drones proliferating in conflicts such as the Ukraine-Russia war,
some of which are self-built and fit between store-bought craft and large military-grade
UAVs, BAE Systems’ APKWS rocket guidance technology can be used to defend against enemy
jets, helicopters, trucks, boats, and weapon stations.
Colonel Ryan Messer, Commander of the 53d Wing at Eglin, stated that the proof of concept
trial conducted in 2022 could have implications for homeland defense missions and combined
defense in the Arabian Gulf and beyond.
Messer concluded: [QUOTE] "The test was unprecedented and will shape the future of how the Air Force
executes cruise missile defense [...] This is a prime example of how the 53d Wing is
using resources readily available to establish innovative ways that enhance combat capabilities
for our combat units."
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