The U.S. Air Force has acquired BAE Systems' Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guided rockets for use in ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Air Force fielded the initial units to fulfill an urgent operational need for F-16 and A-10 aircraft, and it has already successfully used the weapon in combat operations.
'The APKWS rocket's innovative 'plug and play' design makes it possible to deploy these systems on a variety of platforms,' said David Harrold, director of precision guidance solutions at BAE Systems. '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. We are confident that the addition of this highly accurate, low-collateral-damage weapon system will be a game-changer for F-16 and A-10 users in the U.S. Air Force and around the world.'
'The APKWS fixed-wing fielding has been a true display of joint service and contractor teamwork to quickly deliver a capability to meet Air Combat Command fielding requirements while also exceeding Air Force should schedule timelines,' said Brigadier General Shaun Morris, Program Executive Officer for Weapons, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.
Ref. 061/2016
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