The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, a laser-guided rocket from BAE Systems, was 10 for 10 in live fire flight trials by Australia's Defense Force.
The trials were held as part of an assessment for possible acquisition of the weapon and employed an Airbus Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopter and APKWS systems equipped with Forges de Zeebrugge rocket motors.
"These demonstrations have proven the versatility and flexibility of the APKWS rocket," said David Harrold, director of precision guidance solutions at BAE Systems. "The results are clear that our unique mid-body design can quickly and cost-effectively transform current inventory of unguided FZ rockets into highly precise weapons for greater mission success as it has done for Hydra rockets since initial fielding in 2012."
The APKWS is a guided weapon using distributed aperture semi-active laser seeker technology and is compatible with existing Hydra 70 rocket components, such as launchers, warheads and fuzes.
BAE Systems said ground-launch trials were held in Australia last year.
In the live fire tests from a helicopter, the rocket was fired from targets at a distance of about 1,500 yards to 4,500 yards at altitudes from between 200 feet and 1,500 feet. All 10 shots hit the target within about three feet of the laser spot.
"The combination of a perfect seven-for-seven from the ground trial and 10 for 10 from the flight trial confirms this as a fully functioning capability," said Maj. David Paterson, Rotary Wing Flight Commander of the Australian Aircraft Stores Compatibility Engineering Squadron, part of the Aerospace Operational Support Group. "This testing supports the potential use of the APKWS rocket on the ARH."
