Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System

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The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) is a kit that equips Hydra 70 unguided rockets with laser guidance and turns them into precision-guided munitions (PGMs). The weapon bridges the gap between the Hydra 70 and AGM-114 Hellfire systems, providing a cheaper way to hit lightly armored targets. The original version never entered service; an upgraded version, the APKWS II, did, and is designated the AGR-19/AGR-20/AGR-21 with numerous variants. The system uses Hydra 70 launchers, rocket motors, warheads, and fuzes, adding a mid-body guidance unit developed by BAE Systems to produce a laser-guided weapon that, compared to other U.S. PGMs, is about one-third the cost and weight, has a lower yield more suitable for avoiding collateral damage, and takes one-quarter of the time for ordnance personnel to load and unload. APKWS is the U.S. government's only program of record for the semi-active, laser-guided 2.75 inches (70 mm) rocket. The winning bidder for the APKWS contract was the team of BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics, beating the offerings from Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Systems. In 2015, the APKWS was tested in live-fire exercises with the Forges de Zeebrugge unguided rocket, showing that it can convert other rocket types into PGMs.