BAE Systems has completed test launches of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) surface-to-air missiles to counter unmanned aerial vehicles. Test shots confirmed the effectiveness of 70 mm rockets guided by APKWS guidance kits against Class 2 unmanned aerial systems weighing approximately 11-22.6 kg and capable of moving at speeds in excess of 160 km/h.

Tests were conducted in Southern Arizona in which five APKWS guided missiles were launched from a containerized weapon system against UAVs. They successfully destroyed all targets, including fast-moving drones, which once again underlined the APKWS guidance kits’ ability to deliver cost-effective and accurate strikes against air threats.

“Militarized drones are becoming more commonplace in conflicts around the world, and we offer our customers an effective way to counter them without wasting expensive missiles,” said Greg Procopio, director of precision targeting and detection solutions at BAE Systems. “Our testing shows that APKWS guidance packages have the flexibility to deploy different targets to meet the changing needs of warplanes.”

The new missile combines standard engines and warheads with APKWS guidance kits and proven non-contact/point-detonation warheads to destroy Class 2 unmanned aerial vehicles. The resulting high-precision ammunition is a lockable 4.5kg low-cost supersonic assault weapon. ) warhead capable of destroying large unmanned aerial vehicles in seconds with or without direct contact.

The new APKWS guided missiles are highly effective against a variety of armored fixed and mobile targets. They can be launched from various ground and air platforms, and APKWS guidance kits protect the GPS optics from the fire of nearby missiles, unlike nose-mounted GPS optics. Source