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System · Multi-domain

APKWS II

Laser-guidance kit converting 2.75-inch Hydra-70 rockets into precision munitions; used air- and ground-launched against drones.

by BAE Systems

FieldedMulti-domainCombat use2024
An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter firing an APKWS II laser-guided rocket off the Virginia coast

Photo: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Desmond Parks · Public domain (PD-USGov)

Laser-guidance kit converting 2.75-inch Hydra-70 rockets into precision munitions; used air- and ground-launched against drones.

Timeline1

  1. Combat useReported

    First air-to-air combat use against Houthi drones

    U.S. Air Force F-16s used APKWS II rockets in the air-to-air role to shoot down Houthi drones during Red Sea operations in 2024, the first such Air Force employment.

The latest 10 milestones. Solid entries are confirmed, outlined reported, dashed estimated or still to come; dotted italic entries are speculative. Dates show only the precision the sources give.

Operators2

  • UAUkraine
  • USUnited States
Combat use
Documented · First air-to-air combat use against Houthi drones (2024)

Cost to the Government

  • Unit cost (per round)Estimated
    $85K
    Then-year $ · 1,000 units · FY2026

    P-1 (PB2027), 3020F Missile Procurement, Air Force line 8: FY 2026 discretionary enacted 1,000 APKWS missiles for $85.428M; $85,428,000 / 1,000 = $85,428 per round (division by us). Navy/Army APKWS P-5 exhibits were not machine-readable from secnav.navy.mil.

    Source
  • Contract unit priceEstimated
    $32K
    55,000 units

    NAVAIR IDIQ N0001925D0018 to BAE Systems: $1,743,038,000 for up to 55,000 APKWS II (FRP Lots 13-17, Navy, Army and FMS). $1,743,038,000 / 55,000 = $31,691.6 per unit (division by us; ceiling value / maximum quantity). APKWS here is the laser-guidance kit, not the full rocket.

    Source

Unit costs and contract unit prices for this system, and budget figures for the programs that buy it. Each figure states its dollar basis and links its source; contract values are under Programs & awards.

Capabilities1

Supply Chain Inputs1

  • Solid rocket motors

    Subsystem

    US supply consolidated from six makers to two between 2000 and 2015 (Aerojet Rocketdyne, now L3Harris, and Orbital ATK, now Northrop Grumman). DoD calls the narrow supplier base a bottleneck and has funded new entrants (Anduril, X-Bow, Ursa Major) and sub-tier suppliers through DPA Title III, while Northrop and L3Harris expand capacity.

    CriticalReported

Materials, components and capacity this product depends on. Open an input to see who produces it and the controls on it.