APKWS variant tests successful

The U.S. Central Command confirmed the success of recent tests of a fixed wing variant of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System (APKWS) laser-guided rocket. Fixed wing APKWS uses a different guidance control system to compensate for the higher altitude and longer range of the weapon. The deployment mechanism had to be redesigned to overcome higher aerodynamic forces. During the tests held since the spring of 2013 at the Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., APKWS rockets were fired from various aircraft at different altitudes. Flight launches were tested from the A-10, AV-8B Harrier II, and F-16 Fighting Falcon. BAE Systems is the prime contractor for the APKWS. (Source: Defense Update, 10/15/13) Previous