The US Navy has signed a $2.68 billion indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract for the purchase of thousands of additional APKWS laser-guided rockets, BAE Systems said.
This type of a contract enables the US Navy to purchase APKWS guidance kits over a five-year period, representing full-rate production lots 8-12.
To meet growing demand, BAE Systems has ramped up production at its advanced manufacturing facilities in Hudson, New Hampshire and Austin, Texas and established a robust supply chain.
The contract is said to demonstrate continuing demand for precision strike capabilities that empower and protect warfighters while reducing collateral damage.
“APKWS rockets provide warfighters with the unique ability to precisely engage targets without excessive force, reducing the risk to nearby forces, civilians, and assets,” Marc Casseres, director of Precision Guidance and Sensing Solutions at BAE Systems, explained.
APKWS rockets fill the gap between unguided rockets and large precision munitions and are the US government’s only program of record for 2.75″ laser-guided rockets, according to BAE Systems.