APKWS 2023: The Future of Precision-Guided Munitions
Have you ever wondered how the U.S. military can strike targets with pinpoint accuracy and minimal collateral damage? One of the key technologies that enable this capability is the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS), a laser-guidance kit that transforms unguided rockets into precision-guided munitions (PGMs). In this article, we will explore what APKWS is, how it works, what are its latest updates, and what are the challenges and opportunities for its future development.
What is APKWS?
APKWS is a design conversion of Hydra 70 unguided rockets with a laser guidance kit to turn them into PGMs. It is the U.S. government’s only program of record for the semi-active, laser-guided 2.75-inch (70 millimeter) rocket. It converts the Hydra 70 unguided rocket into a precision guided munition through the addition of a mid-body guidance unit developed by BAE Systems.
A brief history of APKWS development
The concept of APKWS dates back to the 1990s, when the U.S. Navy initiated a program to develop a low-cost, lightweight, precision-guided rocket system that could bridge the gap between unguided rockets and larger anti-armor munitions. The original APKWS program was canceled in 2005 due to technical difficulties and budget constraints. However, in 2006, the U.S. Marine Corps revived the program and awarded a contract to BAE Systems to develop a new version of APKWS, known as APKWS II. The first flight test of APKWS II was conducted in 2007, and the first operational deployment was in 2012 in Afghanistan. Since then, APKWS has been qualified on numerous U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) platforms, including rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft, as well as unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and ground-based platforms.
How does APKWS work?
The APKWS system consists of four main components: the launch platform, the rocket motor, the warhead, and the guidance section. The launch platform can be any existing Hydra 70 launcher or a modified launcher that can accommodate longer rockets. The rocket motor is the same as the Hydra 70 rocket motor, which provides thrust and stabilization for the rocket. The warhead can be any existing Hydra 70 warhead, such as high-explosive or flechette warheads. The guidance section is the key innovation of APKWS, which includes a Distributed Aperture Semi-Active Laser Seeker (DASALS) technology. This system allows a laser seeker to be located in the leading edge of each of the four guidance wings, working in unison as if they were a single seeker. This configuration allows existing warheads from the Hydra 70 system to be used without the need for a laser seeker in the missile nose.
The guidance section also contains an inertial measurement unit (IMU), which provides attitude and velocity information to the guidance computer; a battery, which provides power to the guidance electronics; and an actuator assembly, which controls the movement of the guidance wings. The guidance wings are folded inside the rocket body before launch and deploy after launch to provide lift and control for the rocket. The guidance section is designed to lock onto targets from over 6 kilometers away, supporting survivability and mission success by keeping the launch platform out of the threat range.
What are the advantages of APKWS?
APKWS offers several advantages over other PGMs, such as Hellfire missiles or Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs). Some of these advantages are:
– Cost-effectiveness: APKWS is significantly cheaper than other PGMs, costing around $30,000 per unit, compared to $100,000 for a Hellfire missile or $25,000 for a JDAM. This allows the U.S. military to use APKWS more liberally and efficiently, without wasting expensive munitions on low-value targets. APKWS also reduces the logistics burden and maintenance costs, as it uses existing Hydra 70 rockets and launchers, and does not require special handling or storage. – Accuracy: 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 target. This is comparable to other PGMs, such as Hellfire or JDAM, which have a CEP of 1.5 meters and 5 meters, respectively. APKWS also has a high hit probability, as it can track and engage moving or stationary targets in day or night conditions, even in adverse weather or cluttered environments. – Flexibility: APKWS can be used on a variety of platforms and against a variety of targets. It can be launched from rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft, as well as UAS and ground-based platforms. It can also engage soft and lightly armored targets, such as vehicles, buildings, bunkers, personnel, or UAS. APKWS can be fired in single-shot or ripple-fire modes, allowing the user to tailor the effects to the mission requirements. APKWS can also be integrated with different warheads, such as high-explosive or flechette warheads, to achieve different lethality effects. – Collateral damage reduction: APKWS minimizes collateral damage by using a smaller warhead and a more precise guidance system than other PGMs. APKWS has a warhead weight of 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms), compared to 20 pounds (9 kilograms) for a Hellfire missile or 500 pounds (227 kilograms) for a JDAM. APKWS also has a smaller blast radius and fragmentation pattern than other PGMs, reducing the risk of harming civilians or friendly forces near the target.
What are the latest updates on APKWS?
APKWS has been continuously improved and upgraded since its first operational deployment in 2012. Some of the latest updates on APKWS are:
APKWS upgraded capabilities
In 2020, BAE Systems announced that it had successfully demonstrated an extended-range version of APKWS, which increased the maximum range from 5 kilometers to 8 kilometers. This was achieved by adding a new rocket motor and tail kit to the existing guidance section and warhead. The extended-range version of APKWS is expected to enter production in 2023.
In 2021, BAE Systems also announced that it had successfully tested a new dual-mode seeker for APKWS, which combined laser guidance with inertial navigation system (INS) guidance. This dual-mode seeker enhanced the accuracy and reliability of APKWS by providing an alternative guidance option in case of laser obscuration or jamming. The dual-mode seeker is expected to be available for integration with APKWS in 2023.
APKWS foreign users and sales
APKWS has been approved for sale to several foreign allies and partners of the U.S., including Australia, Canada, Jordan, Lebanon, Netherlands, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates. In 2020 alone, BAE Systems received orders worth more than $600 million for APKWS from both U.S. and foreign customers. As of June 2021, BAE Systems had delivered more than 40,000 units of APKWS to its customers worldwide.
APKWS counter-UAS application
One of the emerging applications of APKWS is to counter unmanned aerial systems (UAS), which pose a growing threat to military and civilian assets. In 2019, BAE Systems demonstrated that APKWS could successfully engage and destroy small UAS targets in various scenarios. In 2020, BAE Systems also integrated APKWS with its High-Energy Laser Integrated Optical-dazzler with Surveillance (HELIOS) system, which combined laser energy with electro-optical sensors to detect, track, identify, [user and defeat UAS threats.
What are the challenges and opportunities for APKWS?
APKWS is a proven and successful system that has been widely used and praised by the U.S. military and its allies. However, it also faces some challenges and opportunities for its future development. Some of these are:
Technical and operational challenges
One of the technical challenges for APKWS is to maintain its performance and reliability in complex and contested environments, where adversaries may employ countermeasures, such as laser jammers, decoys, or electronic warfare systems, to disrupt or deceive the guidance system. Another challenge is to ensure the compatibility and interoperability of APKWS with different platforms, warheads, and launchers, as well as with other PGMs and sensors. A third challenge is to improve the survivability and safety of APKWS, by reducing its vulnerability to enemy fire or accidental detonation.
Some of the operational challenges for APKWS are to train and equip the users with the necessary skills and knowledge to employ APKWS effectively and efficiently, as well as to coordinate and deconflict the use of APKWS with other assets and operations in the battlespace. Another challenge is to balance the demand and supply of APKWS, as the system has been experiencing a high operational tempo and a growing customer base. A third challenge is to comply with the legal and ethical rules of engagement and the laws of armed conflict, especially when using APKWS against human targets or in urban areas.
Market competition and demand
One of the opportunities for APKWS is to expand its market share and customer base, both domestically and internationally. APKWS has a competitive edge over other PGMs in terms of cost, accuracy, flexibility, and collateral damage reduction, which makes it attractive for various missions and scenarios. APKWS also has a potential to be used for non-military applications, such as law enforcement, counter-terrorism, or disaster relief. Moreover, APKWS can benefit from the increasing demand for PGMs in general, as more countries seek to enhance their precision strike capabilities and deterrence posture.
However, APKWS also faces some competition from other PGMs that offer similar or superior features and performance. For example, some competitors of APKWS are:
– Talon: A laser-guided rocket developed by Raytheon and Emirates Advanced Investments Group (EAIG), which has a range of 8 kilometers and a dual-mode seeker that can switch between laser guidance and INS guidance. Talon has been sold to several countries in the Middle East and Asia. – LOGIR: A low-cost guided imaging rocket developed by South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and LIG Nex1, which has a range of 6 kilometers and an imaging infrared (IIR) seeker that can lock onto targets autonomously without laser designation. LOGIR has been tested on various platforms, such as helicopters, UAS, and naval vessels. – Fury: A lightweight glide munition developed by Textron Systems, which has a range of 12 kilometers and a tri-mode seeker that can use semi-active laser, GPS/INS, or IIR guidance. Fury has a modular design that allows it to be integrated with different warheads and launchers. Fury has been demonstrated on various platforms, such as fixed-wing aircraft, UAS, and ground vehicles.
Future prospects and innovations
Another opportunity for APKWS is to leverage its existing technology and experience to develop new variants and capabilities that can address emerging needs and challenges. Some of the possible future prospects and innovations for APKWS are:
– APKWS III: A proposed version of APKWS that would increase the rocket diameter from 2.75 inches to 3 inches, allowing it to carry a larger warhead or a longer rocket motor for increased range or lethality. APKWS III would also incorporate a dual-mode seeker that would combine laser guidance with millimeter wave (MMW) radar guidance, enabling it to engage targets in all weather conditions and through obscurants. – APKWS IV: A proposed version of APKWS that would increase the rocket diameter from 3 inches to 4 inches, allowing it to carry an even larger warhead or a longer rocket motor for increased range or lethality. APKWS IV would also incorporate a multi-mode seeker that would combine laser guidance with MMW radar guidance and imaging infrared (IIR) guidance, enabling it to engage a wider range of targets and countermeasures.
Conclusion
APKWS is a remarkable system that has revolutionized the field of precision-guided munitions. It has proven its effectiveness and reliability in various combat situations, and has earned the trust and admiration of the U.S. military and its allies. APKWS has also demonstrated its adaptability and versatility, as it has been upgraded and integrated with different platforms, warheads, and seekers. APKWS has a bright future ahead, as it continues to face new challenges and opportunities, and to explore new possibilities and innovations.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about APKWS:
– Q: How many APKWS rockets can be carried by a single platform? – A: The number of APKWS rockets that can be carried by a single platform depends on the type and configuration of the platform. For example, an AH-64 Apache helicopter can carry up to 76 APKWS rockets in four launchers, while an F-16 fighter jet can carry up to 28 APKWS rockets in two launchers. – Q: How fast is an APKWS rocket? – A: An APKWS rocket has a maximum speed of Mach 2.2, or about 2,680 kilometers per hour. This means that it can reach a target 5 kilometers away in less than 7 seconds. – Q: How long does an APKWS rocket last? – A: An APKWS rocket has a shelf life of 10 years, meaning that it can be stored and used for up to 10 years without degradation or expiration. However, once an APKWS rocket is fired, it has a flight time of about 15 seconds, depending on the range and trajectory of the target. – Q: How safe is an APKWS rocket? – A: An APKWS rocket is designed to be safe and reliable, both for the user and the target. It has several safety features, such as a self-destruct mechanism that activates if the rocket goes off course or loses guidance, a fuze that prevents premature detonation or dud warheads, and a laser coding system that prevents friendly fire or spoofing attacks. – Q: How effective is an APKWS rocket? – A: An APKWS rocket is highly effective against various types of targets, such as vehicles, buildings, bunkers, personnel, or UAS. It has a high hit probability and accuracy, as well as a low collateral damage potential. It can also be used in conjunction with other PGMs or sensors to achieve synergistic effects and enhance mission success.
bc1a9a207d