BAE Systems has been awarded a $2.68bn contract to deliver additional Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guided rockets to the US Navy. The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract covers full-rate production lots eight to 12 of the precision munition. BAE Systems will provide APKWS II WGU-59/B units under the contract to help upgrade the existing 2.75in rocket system to a semi-active laser-guided precision weapon. The upgrade kits are intended for the navy, airforce, army and foreign allies, including Iraq, the Netherlands, Afghanistan, the UK, Lebanon, Australia, Tunisia, the Philippines, and Jordan.

The APKWS guidance kits can be used to convert unguided rockets into precision-guided weapons to provide surgical strike capability. BAE Systems will produce an undisclosed number of APKWS rockets over the five-year contract period. The rocket can hit targets with high accuracy and can be launched from fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, including the F-16, ARH, A-10, AV-8B, UH-1Y and UH-60L/M.