BAE Systems' APKWS laser-guided rockets deploy on USAF F-16
NewsJune 08, 2016
ARLINGTON, Va. U.S. Air Force (USAF) officials deployed BAE Systems' Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guided rockets on F-16 aircraft for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. This marks the first time the weapon system has been used in combat operations on a fixed-wing platform.
The Air Force fielded the units to fulfill an operational need for F-16 and A-10 aircraft and the USAF deployment of the rockets comes after the U.S. Marine Corps tested the rockets on the AV-8B fixed-wing aircraft.
David Harrold, director of precision guidance solutions at BAE Systems, says “the Navy and Air Force deserve immense credit for streamlining the acquisition process by leveraging an existing Navy program of record to meet the needs of all our military services.”
Air Force officials are acquiring its initial supply of rockets out of the current Navy inventory as well as working with BAE Systems and the Navy to purchase additional units to meet ongoing demands.
Read more on weapon systems:
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Navy Enhanced Laser Guided Training Rounds contract won by Lockheed Martin
Marine Corps squadron receives first variant of Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System
