To address this gap, the APKWS rocket adds a mid-body guidance unit developed by BAE Systems to the Hydra 70 rocket. The guidance unit consists of four movable canards with laser seekers that can lock on to a designated target illuminated by a laser source. The guidance unit also has a control section that adjusts the canards to steer the rocket towards the target. The guidance unit does not interfere with the existing warheads and fuzes of the Hydra 70 rocket, allowing for flexibility and compatibility.
History and Development of APKWS Rocket
The APKWS program started in 1996 as an initiative to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of the Hydra 70 rocket system. The program went through several phases of development, testing, and evaluation by different contractors and agencies. In 2005, the U.S. Navy selected BAE Systems as the prime contractor for the APKWS II program, which used the Distributed Aperture Semi-Active Laser Seeker (DASALS) technology.
The APKWS II program achieved several milestones, such as the first guided flight test in 2007, the first live fire test in 2008, the first operational assessment in 2009, and the first low-rate initial production in 2010. The APKWS II was declared ready for operational use by the U.S. Marine Corps in 2012, followed by the U.S. Army in 2014, the U.S. Air Force in 2016, and the U.S. Navy in 2017. Since then, the APKWS II has been deployed in various missions and platforms in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Libya, and other countries.
Features and Specifications of APKWS Rocket
Distributed Aperture Semi-Active Laser Seeker (DASALS)
The DASALS technology is a key feature of the APKWS rocket that enables it to achieve high accuracy and reliability. The DASALS technology uses four laser seekers located in the leading edge of each canard, working in unison as if they were a single seeker. This configuration allows the seeker to have a wide field of view and capture angle, as well as to avoid interference from adjacent firings or environmental factors. The seeker can also track moving or stationary targets in open or confined areas.
Launch Platforms and Compatibility
The APKWS rocket can be launched from various platforms, such as helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft I have continued writing the article based on the outline and the web search results. Here is the rest of the article: Performance and Advantages of APKWS Rocket
The APKWS rocket has several performance and advantages over other munitions, such as:
- It has a high hit rate of over 90% in combat operations, demonstrating its accuracy and reliability. - It has a low cost of about $22,000 per unit, which is approximately one-third the cost of other laser-guided weapons. - It has a low weight of about 32 lb (15 kg), which is approximately one-third the weight of other laser-guided weapons. - It has a low yield of about 10 lb (4.5 kg) of high explosive, which is more suitable for avoiding collateral damage than larger anti-armor munitions. - It has a flexible range of 1,100â5,000 m (0.68â3.11 mi) for rotary-wing platforms and 2â11 km (1.2â6.8 mi) for fixed-wing platforms, allowing for different engagement scenarios. - It has a fast loading and unloading time of about 15 minutes, which is one quarter of the time for other laser-guided weapons. How Does APKWS Rocket Work?
Guidance System and Flight Trajectory
The APKWS rocket uses the Distributed Aperture Semi-Active Laser Seeker (DASALS) technology to guide itself to the target. The DASALS technology consists of four laser seekers located in the leading edge of each canard, working in unison as if they were a single seeker. The seekers can detect and track a laser spot designated by a laser source, such as a laser designator or a laser rangefinder.
The APKWS rocket also has a control section that adjusts the canards to steer the rocket towards the target. The control section receives inputs from the seekers and calculates the optimal flight trajectory based on the rocket's speed, altitude, attitude, and environmental conditions. The control section then commands the canards to move accordingly to correct the rocket's course.
The APKWS rocket has an optimized flight trajectory that enables it to engage targets at a steeper angle of attack, providing improvements in range and lethality. The optimized attack trajectory also improves first-shot success against stationary and moving targets, as well as reduces the chances of a lost or uncontrolled rocket after launch.
Warheads and Fuzes
The APKWS rocket can carry various types of warheads and fuzes that are compatible with the Hydra 70 rocket system. The warheads can be classified into three categories: blast fragmentation, shaped charge, and flechette. The blast fragmentation warheads are designed to create a large blast radius and produce shrapnel that can damage soft targets and personnel. The shaped charge warheads are designed to penetrate armored targets with a focused jet of metal. The flechette warheads are designed to disperse thousands of steel darts that can pierce through light armor and personnel.
The fuzes can be classified into two categories: point detonating and proximity. The point detonating fuzes are designed to detonate the warhead upon impact with the target or after a preset delay. The proximity fuzes are designed to detonate the warhead when it is close to the target, using either radio frequency or laser sensors.
Targeting and Engagement
The APKWS rocket can be used to target and engage various types of targets, such as vehicles, buildings, bunkers, boats, personnel, and drones. The targeting process involves four steps: designation, launch, guidance, and impact.
The designation step involves illuminating the target with a laser source that emits a coded pulse that matches the seeker's code. The laser source can be mounted on the launch platform or on another platform that has line-of-sight to the target.
The launch step involves firing the rocket from the launcher using an electrical impulse that activates the rocket motor and the guidance unit. The launcher can be mounted on rotary-wing or fixed-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, or ground-based platforms.
The guidance step involves tracking the laser spot by the seekers and adjusting the canards by the control section to steer the rocket towards the target. The guidance step lasts until the rocket reaches its terminal phase or until it loses sight of the laser spot.
The impact step involves detonating the warhead by the fuze when it hits or approaches the target. The impact step creates an explosion that destroys or damages the target.
Where is APKWS Rocket Used?
U.S. Military Services and Operations
The APKWS rocket is used by all four branches of the U.S. military: the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Air Force. The APKWS rocket is also used by the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and the U.S. Coast Guard. The APKWS rocket has been deployed in various operations and missions, such as Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Freedom's Sentinel, Operation Odyssey Dawn, and Operation Odyssey Lightning.
The APKWS rocket has been used to engage various types of targets, such as trucks, boats, buildings, bunkers, personnel, and drones. The APKWS rocket has also been used to provide close air support, air interdiction, armed reconnaissance, and maritime security. The APKWS rocket has proven to be effective and efficient in reducing collateral damage, saving ammunition, and increasing mission success.
Foreign Users and Sales
The APKWS rocket is also used by several foreign countries that have purchased or expressed interest in purchasing the weapon system. The foreign users and potential users of the APKWS rocket include:
Country Status Quantity Platform ------- ------ -------- -------- Australia Purchased 1,200 MH-60R Jordan Purchased 110 AH-1F Iraq Purchased 2,000 AC-208 Lebanon Purchased 300 A-29 Netherlands Purchased 200 AH-64D Tunisia Purchased 400 AT-6C UK Purchased 1,000 AH-64E UAE Purchased 300 AH-64E Saudi Arabia Approved 10,000 Various Qatar Approved 5,000 Various Nigeria Approved 400 A-29 Philippines Approved 300 AH-1W Morocco Approved 600 F-16C/D Egypt Requested N/A N/A India Requested N/A N/A Future Plans and Upgrades
The APKWS program is constantly evolving and improving to meet the needs and demands of the users and the environment. Some of the future plans and upgrades for the APKWS rocket include:
- Increasing the range and speed of the rocket by using a new motor and propellant. - Developing a multi-mode seeker that can use laser or radio frequency guidance. - Integrating a data link that can provide real-time target information and feedback. - Expanding the compatibility of the rocket with more platforms and launchers. - Enhancing the survivability of the rocket against countermeasures and jamming. Conclusion
The APKWS rocket is a precision-guided munition that converts unguided Hydra 70 rockets into laser-guided weapons. It uses a mid-body guidance unit with four laser seekers that can track a designated target illuminated by a laser source. It also has a control section that adjusts four canards to steer the rocket towards the target.
The APKWS rocket has several advantages over other munitions, such as high accuracy, low cost, low weight, low yield, flexible range, and fast loading. It can be launched from various platforms, such as helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft I have continued writing the article based on the outline and the web search results. Here is the rest of the article: , unmanned aerial vehicles, or ground-based platforms. It can carry various types of warheads and fuzes that are compatible with the Hydra 70 rocket system. It can target and engage various types of targets, such as vehicles, buildings, bunkers, boats, personnel, and drones.
The APKWS rocket is used by all four branches of the U.S. military, as well as by several foreign countries. It has been deployed in various operations and missions around the world, demonstrating its effectiveness and efficiency. It is also constantly evolving and improving to meet the needs and demands of the users and the environment.
The APKWS rocket is a precision-guided munition that provides a cost-effective and accurate solution for engaging lightly armored point targets with minimal collateral damage. It is the U.S. government's only program of record for the semi-active, laser-guided 2.75 inches (70 mm) rocket.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the APKWS rocket:
- Q: What does APKWS stand for? - A: APKWS stands for Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System. - Q: How much does an APKWS rocket cost? - A: An APKWS rocket costs about $22,000 per unit, which is approximately one-third the cost of other laser-guided weapons. - Q: How accurate is an APKWS rocket? - A: An APKWS rocket has a high hit rate of over 90% in combat operations, demonstrating its accuracy and reliability. - Q: How many APKWS rockets can be carried by a platform? - A: The number of APKWS rockets that can be carried by a platform depends on the type and configuration of the launcher. For example, a standard seven-tube launcher can carry seven APKWS rockets, while a four-tube launcher can carry four APKWS rockets. - Q: What are the advantages of using an APKWS rocket over other munitions? - A: Some of the advantages of using an APKWS rocket over other munitions are: - It has a low weight and low yield, which are more suitable for avoiding collateral damage than larger anti-armor munitions. - It has a flexible range and an optimized attack trajectory, which allow for different engagement scenarios and improved lethality. - It has a fast loading and unloading time, which reduces the turnaround time and increases the mission readiness.
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