Department of War Signs Framework Deal With BAE Systems to Surge APKWS Counter-Drone Interceptor Output to 25,000 Kits a Year
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of War announced on October 19 that it has signed a framework agreement with BAE Systems to buy up to 25,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) guidance kits a year for as long as seven years, with a path to raise total output to 35,000 kits a year if allied nations formalize requests through the Foreign Military Sales program. The department said the multiyear buy remains subject to congressional authorization and appropriations; neither side announced the deal's cost.
APKWS laser-guidance kits convert unguided 2.75-inch rockets into precision-guided munitions usable in air-to-surface, surface-to-surface, surface-to-air and air-to-air engagements. The Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps all field the system and participated in finalizing the agreement. The weapon has become a cheaper alternative to air-to-air missiles for shooting down drones, and the department describes it as the only low-cost precision interceptor with combat-proven effectiveness against small tactical and Group 3 drones. BAE builds the kits in Hudson, New Hampshire, and Austin, Texas, and said in February that it had delivered its 100,000th kit.
"By securing multi-year demand, this agreement keeps production lines running at capacity, provides our forces with interceptor inventory, and flips the cost calculus in the taxpayer's favor," said Michael Duffey, the Pentagon's undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment, who added that the "Arsenal of Freedom" exists to guarantee warfighters a decisive advantage. Tom Arseneault, president and CEO of BAE Systems Inc., said APKWS delivers proven, reliable and affordable precision at scale to counter evolving threats, and that the agreement highlights the importance of sustained investment in critical munitions.
The department said BAE will increase production while the two sides negotiate a multiyear contract under the framework, and that longer-term demand will allow the company to purchase long-lead components and expand its skilled workforce, while allied purchases will capitalize new domestic production lines and increase U.S. capacity to respond to sudden demand.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 美国海军一架 SH-60S 直升机发射 APKWS II 制导火箭弹（资料照片）。美国海军 Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Desmond Parks 摄，公共领域图片，经 Wikimedia Commons 发布。
