US approves $31.2m sale of 768 APKWS-II precision-guided missiles to the UK

The US State Department has approved the purchase of Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System-II (APKWS-II) by the United Kingdom. The official statement appeared on the Defence and Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) website.

Here's What We Know

The UK has requested the purchase of up to 768 APKWS-II systems. The potential deal is worth $31.2 million. The approval of the sale is linked to the US Department of Defense's desire to bolster the defence capabilities of the NATO ally. The UK will equip AH-64E Apache helicopters with the missiles.

In addition to the systems themselves, the contract includes additional equipment, consumables, and spare parts. The deal also includes technical documentation, logistics/software support and transport.

The APKWS-II transforms the Hydra 70 unguided 70mm rocket into a precision-guided munition. The system employs semi-active distributed aperture laser homing technology.

Laser homing heads are mounted on the leading edge of all forward rudders. Despite the presence of multiple heads, they operate synchronously as a unit. This configuration eliminates the need for a laser homing head in the nose section of the munition.

Source: DSCA