BAE Systems garners $2.7 billion order from U.S. Navy for thousands of APKWS munitions
NewsDecember 18, 2019
HUDSON, N.H. Following a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announcement in September 2019, BAE Systems announced that the U.S. Navy has signed a $2.68 billion contract for the purchase of thousands of additional APKWS Laser-Guided Rockets precision munition.
According to company information, APKWS rockets -- which fill a need in the previous gap between unguided rockets and large precision munitions -- are the U.S. government’s only program of record for 2.75-inch laser-guided rockets. Additionally, say company officials, APKWS guidance kits are compatible with new inventories of rocket motors, warheads, and launchers and can easily transform unguided rockets into precision munitions with little training.
“Our armed forces customers are looking to apply just the right amount of force at the right location to execute their missions without unnecessary damage,” said Marc Casseres, director of Precision Guidance and Sensing Solutions at BAE Systems. “APKWS rockets provide warfighters with the unique ability to precisely engage targets without excessive force, reducing the risk to nearby forces, civilians, and assets. It’s the driving force behind growing global demand.”
The indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract enables the Navy to purchase APKWS guidance kits over a five-year period; to meet the terms of the contract, BAE Systems has ramped up production at its advanced manufacturing facilities in Hudson, New Hampshire and Austin, Texas and has established a secure supply chain.
