Pentagon, Air Force Accelerate Laser-Guided Rockets

The Pentagon is fast-tracking new orders of laser-guided precision rockets needed to attack ISIS as US Coalition aircraft maintain an extremely high op-tempo of offensive operations in Iraq and Syria.

A-10 Warthog attack planes, and other aircraft, have been consistently attacking ISIS fighters on the move Advanced Precision Kill Weapons Systems (APKWS) rockets, laser-guided Hydra 70 2.75inch rockets fired from helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. The weapon, first developed more than a decade ago, attaches a guidance section to unguided rockets, giving them ability to pinpoint targets on the move with laser precision.

In response to the fast-growing demand for weapons to attack ISIS, The U.S. Navy has awarded BAE Systems a $180.5 million contract to continue producing Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System. The Navy deal is part of a broader effort to, in many instances, arm US allies with APKWS in the current fight against ISIS.

“We’re delivering ahead of schedule even with the growing demand,” Rachel Guill, director of Precision Guidance Solutions at BAE Systems, said in a written statement.

U.S. Air Force weapons loaders say the current rotation of attacks against ISIS, from this past January forward, has generated fast-growing demand for more APKWS rockets.

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“This rotation has been the busiest op-tempo of weapons expenditures and sortie hours. We are tracking right now about 2,700 bombs dropped since we have been here in January,” SMSgt Chris Cochran, 447 Munitions Fight Chief, said in a DoD report.