PATUXENT RIVER NAS, Md., 1 Aug. 2010. U.S. Navy and Marine Corps leaders are starting production of a precision-guided munition seeker for the venerable Hydra 70-millimeter rocket to extend the range of military fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as to expand the number of precision-guided munitions that each aircraft can carry.
The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., awarded a $15.26 million contract Friday to the BAE Systems Electronic Solutions segment in Nashua, N.H., for low-rate initial production I (LRIP-I) of the Advanced Precision-Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) guidance section to convert the unguided Hydra rocket to a laser-guided smart munition.
BAE Systems will build 325 APKWS II guidance section for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, as well as to integrate the APKWS II smart munition on the Navy and Marine Corps UH-1Y Super Huey utility helicopter. The OH-58D(R) Kiowa Warrior and AH-64D Apache Longbow combat helicopters, as well as the Marine Corps AH-1 Cobra carry the Hydra rocket launcher on their weapons pylons.
Precision rockets can carry a wide variety of munitions, from dispersed bomblets to small explosive warheads for use against enemy infantry, armored personnel carriers, light vehicles, and unfortified buildings.
For more information contact Naval Air Systems Command online at www.navair.navy.mil, or BAE Electronic Solutions at www.baesystems.com.
