BAE awarded contract for laser-guided rocket system

June 12 (UPI) -- BAE Systems has received a $181 million contract for the Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System, or APKWS, upgrade kits for the U.S. Navy.

"We're delivering ahead of schedule even with the growing demand," said Rachel Guill, director of Precision Guidance Solutions at BAE Systems, said in a press release. "Our APKWS rockets are critical to the mission success of our U.S. government and allied nation customers."

"This high-quality, reliable product is easy to use and provides accurate strike capability at a fraction of the cost of other precision munitions."

The APKWS is designed to be an upgrade kit for the standard Hydra 70 2.75 inch unguided rocket. The system provides laser guidance for the rocket, allowing it to perform precision strikes.

The APKWS is designed to be very simple to install and requires a minimum of training to maintain. It is meant to provide a low-cost alternative to more expensive laser-guided weapons such as the Hellfire missile by using existing stockpiles of Hydra 70 rockets.