FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla., Dec. 26 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army has successfully fired two APKWS rockets from a Kiowa Warrior helicopter.
"Two BAE Systems-built Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System -- APKWS -- guided rockets were successfully test-fired from a U.S. Army Kiowa Warrior helicopter on Dec. 13. These tests confirm that the APKWS rocket is compatible with the Kiowa Warrior's carriage and launch systems and demonstrate that the weapon can be fired from the helicopter without requiring platform integration or modifications," BAE Systems said in a statement last week.
"The tests also proved again the weapon's ability to acquire, track, and hit a laser-designated target, with both rockets striking the target well within accuracy requirements established by the Army and Marine Corps," the company said.
"Following launch, the first APKWS rocket was guided by a ground-based laser designator to a ground target. The second launch was guided by a laser designator in a second helicopter flying near the launch platform," BAE Systems said.
"The successful firing of APKWS shows that the system can be employed without any modifications to the aircraft or launchers and with minimal crew training," said Lt. Col. Paul Bontrager, commander of the 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, of the Army's 101st Airborne Division. "Integration of APKWS will give our aircrews the ability to precisely employ 2.75-inch rockets from an extended range against the enemy with reduced error or collateral damage."
BAE Systems described the APKWS as "a low-cost precision munition system that modifies a standard 2.75-inch unguided rocket into a highly precise, laser-guided weapon capable of engaging unarmored and lightly armored targets. Sensors guide the warhead to its target with pinpoint accuracy, ensuring that the intended target is destroyed while greatly lessening the risk of collateral damage. With APKWS, military aircrews can engage targets that often were unreachable with conventional 2.75-inch rockets."
Similar tests, conducted in September, proved that the APKWS could also be successfully fired from a U.S. Marine Corps Cobra helicopter, BAE Systems said.
