Munitions

2.75-inch guided rockets

The 2.75-inch guided rocket family covers BAE Systems' APKWS II laser-guidance kit, including the WGU-59/B guidance section that converts Hydra 70 / 2.75-inch aerial rockets into precision-guided munitions. U.S. Navy and Air Force sources document production, fielding, and employment on helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, including the A-10 and F-16.

2.75-inch guided rockets, Guided rocket munition family, Munitions
Image source: APKWS II

Specifications

Caliber
2.75 inches (70 mm)
Guidance
Semi-active laser guidance kit on a Hydra 70 rocket body
Length
73.77 inches all-up round
Weight
32.6 pounds all-up round
Speed
Maximum 1,000 meters per second
Warhead
M151 or Mk 152 10-pound high-explosive warhead
Platforms
Helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, UAVs, and some mounted or maritime launch applications

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service
APKWS II production began in 2011; NAVAIR lists initial operational capability in 2012 and later fielding on rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft.
Used by
United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Air Force, Jordanian Armed Forces

Carrier Platforms

Official Northrop Grumman and NAVAIR sources describe 2.75-inch guided rockets as a carried munition for the AC-208 and other aircraft that can launch 2.75-inch rocket systems.

Carrier platformRoleSource-backed note
AC-208 Combat CaravanArmed reconnaissance aircraftNorthrop Grumman says the AC-208 Eliminator can engage targets with 2.75-inch guided rockets as part of its ground-attack payload.

Carrier Platforms

Northrop Grumman identifies the AC-208 Eliminator as able to engage targets with 2.75-inch guided rockets.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
AC-208 Combat CaravanArmed reconnaissance aircraft

Northrop Grumman says the AC-208 Eliminator can engage targets with 2.75-inch guided rockets as part of its reconnaissance and ground-attack loadout.

Sources: Northrop Grumman Special Mission Aircraft

Carrier Aircraft

U.S. Air Force reporting documented APKWS II use from the A-10, and NAVAIR later listed APKWS II as fielded on the A-10 aircraft.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
A-10 Thunderbolt IIClose air support attack aircraft

The A-10 fired the fixed-wing APKWS II rocket in Air Force tests, and NAVAIR later listed APKWS II as fielded on the A-10.

Sources: A-10 fires its first laser-guided rocket, Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS)

2.75-inch guided rockets Videos

2.75-inch guided rockets Images

2.75-inch guided rockets, Guided rocket munition family, Munitions - view 1
Source: APKWS II
2.75-inch guided rockets, Guided rocket munition family, Munitions - view 2
Source: A-10 Firing APKWS (Courtesy Illustration)

Related Weapon Systems

9K25 Krasnopol laser-guided projectile, 152/155 mm laser-guided artillery projectile, MunitionsMunitions9K25 Krasnopol laser-guided projectile152/155 mm laser-guided artillery projectileThe 9K25 Krasnopol family is a Russian laser-guided artillery projectile line built by KBP Instrument Design Bureau for precision tube-artillery fire. The Krasnopol-M2 variant is documented in reporting on Russian precision fire from the 2S43 Malva, while the Krasnopol-M follow-on is the shorter 152/155 mm version that FAS says is fully compatible with the 2S19 Msta-S autoloader and usable with 155 mm howitzers.

Sources

Northrop Grumman Special Mission AircraftPublisher: Northrop Grumman | Note: Supports the AC-208 carrier context and the statement that the Eliminator can engage targets with 2.75-inch guided rockets. | Accessed: 2026-06-23Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS)Publisher: NAVAIR | Note: Supports the family description, 2.75-inch / 70 mm dimensions, laser guidance kit, production start, IOC, platform list, and all-up-round specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-23APKWS Precision Guidance KitPublisher: BAE Systems | Note: Supports the product background for the U.S. program of record, the 2.75-inch / 70 mm guided-rocket family, and the list of compatible platforms. | Accessed: 2026-06-23A-10 fires its first laser-guided rocketPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports the A-10 firing the fixed-wing APKWS II rocket during 2013 test sorties. | Accessed: 2026-06-23APKWS IIPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the primary illustration used on the entry. | Accessed: 2026-06-23A-10 Firing APKWS (Courtesy Illustration)Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a secondary illustration showing a 2.75-inch guided rocket in flight. | Accessed: 2026-06-23