Munitions

APKWS / WGU-59 guided rockets

Also known as
  • 2.75 inch guided rockets
  • 70 mm guided rockets
  • 2.75-inch laser-guided rockets
  • 70 mm laser-guided rockets
  • Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System
  • Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II
  • APKWS
  • APKWS II
  • APKWS-GS
  • APKWS laser-guidance kit
  • AGR-20
  • AGR-20A
  • AGR-20F
  • AGR-20 FALCO
  • Fixed Wing, Air-Launched, Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Ordnance
  • WGU-59/B
  • WGU-59B
  • WGU-59B/B
  • WGU-59A/B
  • APKWS-II All-Up-Round

APKWS / WGU-59 guided rockets are BAE Systems laser-guidance-kit munitions that convert Hydra 70 / 2.75-inch aerial rockets into precision-guided weapons. The family includes WGU-59/B guidance sections, single-variant all-up rounds, and later AGR-20/FALCO counter-UAS adaptations documented by U.S. Navy, Air Force, manufacturer, and Ukraine-security-assistance sources on helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and mounted launch systems.

Role in Conflicts

Carrier Platforms

Official and manufacturer sources document APKWS-class 2.75-inch guided rockets on helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and mounted launch systems. The links below are limited to cataloged systems with direct source support.

Carrier or launcherRoleSource-backed note
AC-208 Combat Caravan, Armed ISR and light attack aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAC-208 Combat CaravanArmed reconnaissance aircraftNorthrop Grumman says the AC-208 Eliminator can engage targets with 2.75-inch guided rockets.
AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter, Marine attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVsAH-1W Super CobraAttack helicopterNAVAIR describes APKWS II as reaching initial operational capability on AH-1W and UH-1Y helicopters in 2012.
AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter, Attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVsAH-1Z ViperAttack helicopterBell lists AH-1Z performance assumptions with 70 mm rockets that may be unguided or APKWS guided.
AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, Twin-engine attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVsAH-64 ApacheAttack helicopterBAE Systems reported APKWS qualification firings from an AH-64D Apache, and NAVAIR lists AH-64 among APKWS platforms.
MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, Primary anti-submarine and surface warfare helicopter, Aircraft & UAVsMH-60R SeahawkMaritime helicopterNavy reporting and DOT&E material document MH-60R integration with APKWS II and the Digital Rocket Launcher.
F-16 Fighting Falcon, Multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsF-16 Fighting FalconMultirole fighterBAE Systems says the U.S. Air Force fielded APKWS for F-16 and A-10 aircraft under an urgent operational need.
F/A-18 Hornet (Tactical), Carrier-capable multirole strike fighter, Aircraft & UAVsF/A-18 HornetCarrier-capable strike fighterNAVAIR reported Marine Corps F/A-18 squadrons flying operational APKWS flights with the 2.75-inch rocket.
VAMPIRE, Modular counter-UAS rocket system, Air DefenseVAMPIRECounter-UAS launcher systemL3Harris describes VAMPIRE as a portable kit for launching APKWS or other laser-guided munitions from cargo-bed vehicles.

Sources: Northrop Grumman Special Mission Aircraft; Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS); Bell AH-1Z Viper; Laser-Guided Rocket Successfully Qualified to Support Apache Crews; MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter FY15 DOT&E; Swamp Foxes Conduct First Swing Loaded Operational Flight; U.S. Air Force Deploys APKWS Laser-Guided Rockets on F-16s; Marines complete first F/A-18, APKWS operational flights; VAMPIRE

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Built by
BAE Systems
Type
Guided rocket munition family
Service note
Fielded from 2011
Produced
2011-present

Specifications

Caliber
2.75 inches (70 mm)
Guidance
Semi-active laser guidance using an APKWS-II mid-body guidance section
Length
73.77 inches all-up round
Weight
32.6 pounds all-up round
Guidance section
18.5 inches long and 9.8 pounds
Wingspan
9.55 inches
Propulsion
Mk66 Mod 4 rocket motor
Fixed-wing range
1.2 to 6.8 miles reported for WGU-59 APKWS II
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
Variants

The catalog page treats APKWS II, WGU-59/B, WGU-59A/B, and AGR-20/FALCO as current-page designations within BAE Systems' guidance-kit family. Other named 70 mm laser-guided rockets are adjacent families summarized in the related-family section.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
APKWS IIBAE Systems guidance-kit family

NAVAIR describes APKWS II as a laser-guidance conversion of an unguided Hydra 2.75-inch rocket, with the guidance section fitted between the warhead and Mk66 Mod 4 rocket motor.

Sources: Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS)

WGU-59/B guidance sectionAPKWS II guidance section

NAVAIR identifies APKWS II (WGU-59/B) as the semi-active laser guidance section that integrates with current 2.75-inch rocket motors and warheads.

Sources: Marine helicopters deploy with laser-guided rocket

WGU-59A/B APKWS-II AURSingle Variant all-up round designation

The Federal Register describes WGU-59/B rotary-wing and WGU-59A/B single-variant APKWS-II all-up rounds as Hydra 2.75-inch rocket conversions using an APKWS-II guidance section, Mk66 Mod 4 motor, and Mk 151 or Mk 152 warhead.

Sources: Federal Register APKWS-II Arms Sales Notification

AGR-20 FALCOFixed-wing counter-UAS adaptation

Air & Space Forces describes AGR-20 FALCO as a fixed-wing, air-launched APKWS adaptation for small airborne targets, while Red Sea reporting documents U.S. fighter use of AGR-20 FALCO/APKWS against Houthi drones.

Sources: WGU-59 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II, Laser-Guided Rockets Shown Shooting Down Houthi Drones For First Time

Carrier Aircraft

Official and manufacturer sources document APKWS-class 2.75-inch guided rockets on attack helicopters, maritime helicopters, light attack aircraft, and fixed-wing fighters.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
AC-208 Combat Caravan, Armed ISR and light attack aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAC-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

A-10 Thunderbolt II, Close air support attack aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsA-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), U.S. Air Force Deploys APKWS Laser-Guided Rockets on F-16s

AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter, Marine attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVsAH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopterAttack helicopter

NAVAIR describes APKWS II as a guided conversion of the Hydra 2.75-inch rocket and says initial operational capability was declared on AH-1W and UH-1Y helicopters in 2012.

Sources: Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS), Marine helicopters deploy with laser-guided rocket

AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter, Attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVsAH-1Z Viper attack helicopterAttack helicopter

Bell lists AH-1Z performance assumptions with 70 mm rockets that may be unguided or APKWS guided.

Sources: Bell AH-1Z Viper

AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, Twin-engine attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVsAH-64 Apache attack helicopterAttack helicopter

BAE Systems reported APKWS qualification firings from an AH-64D Apache, and NAVAIR lists AH-64 among APKWS platforms.

Sources: Laser-Guided Rocket Successfully Qualified to Support Apache Crews, Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS)

Air Tractor AT-802, Agricultural and armed multi-mission turboprop aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAir Tractor AT-802Strike aircraft

Air Tractor says the AT-802U can be mounted with precision-guided 2.75-inch rockets, and L3Harris lists 70mm rockets including APKWS on Sky Warden.

Sources: AT-802U at SOFIC 2019 Goes Beyond "Light Attack", SKY WARDEN

AT-6 Wolverine, Light attack and armed reconnaissance turboprop aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAT-6 WolverineLight attack and armed reconnaissance aircraft

Textron Aviation Defense lists APKWS, TALON, and GATR 2.75-inch laser-guided rockets among the AT-6 Wolverine's supported loads.

Sources: AT-6 Wolverine and Beechcraft T-6 Texan II | Textron Aviation Defense

F-16 Fighting Falcon, Multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsF-16 Fighting FalconMultirole fighter

BAE Systems says the U.S. Air Force fielded APKWS for F-16 and A-10 aircraft under an urgent operational need, and NAVAIR lists F-16 among APKWS platforms.

Sources: U.S. Air Force Deploys APKWS Laser-Guided Rockets on F-16s, Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS)

F/A-18 Hornet (Tactical), Carrier-capable multirole strike fighter, Aircraft & UAVsF/A-18 Hornet (Tactical)Carrier-capable strike fighter

NAVAIR reported Marine Corps F/A-18 squadrons flying operational APKWS flights with the highly accurate 2.75-inch rocket.

Sources: Marines complete first F/A-18, APKWS operational flights

MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, Primary anti-submarine and surface warfare helicopter, Aircraft & UAVsMH-60R Seahawk helicopterMaritime helicopter

DOT&E assessed an MH-60R equipped with the Digital Rocket Launcher and APKWS II rockets, while Navy reporting identifies APKWS II integration alongside Hellfire missiles.

Sources: MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter FY15 DOT&E, Swamp Foxes Conduct First Swing Loaded Operational Flight

Mounted Launch Systems

The same guided-rocket family also appears on cataloged ground or palletized launch systems where sources identify APKWS or laser-guided 2.75-inch rockets as the launched munition.

LauncherLauncher typeLaunch evidence
VAMPIRE, Modular counter-UAS rocket system, Air DefenseVAMPIRECounter-UAS launcher system

L3Harris describes VAMPIRE as a portable kit for launching APKWS or other laser-guided munitions from cargo-bed vehicles, and its Ukraine contract releases identify APKWS as the selected rocket for Ukrainian VAMPIRE counter-UAS systems.

Sources: VAMPIRE, L3Harris Receives VAMPIRE Contract for Ukrainian Security Defense Efforts, L3Harris VAMPIRE System Helps U.S. Navy Fill Ukraine's Counter UAS Gap

Related 70 mm Guided Rockets

Several other 2.75-inch / 70 mm laser-guided rocket families share launcher or rocket-body concepts with APKWS but are separate products or guidance kits rather than WGU-59 aliases.

FamilyRelationshipSource-backed distinction
TALON LGRSeparate guidance kitTextron and Raytheon material identify TALON separately from APKWS in 2.75-inch laser-guided rocket testing and production context.
GATR 2.75-inch laser-guided rocket, 70 mm laser-guided rocket, MunitionsGATR 2.75-inch laser-guided rocketSeparate 70 mm rocketElbit identifies GATR as a 70 mm guided rocket, and Textron lists GATR separately from APKWS and TALON for AT-6 stores.
DAGR air-to-ground missile, 70 mm air-to-ground missile, MunitionsDAGR air-to-ground missileSeparate guidance kitLockheed Martin unveiled DAGR as a semi-active laser guidance kit for 2.75-inch / 70 mm Hydra-70 and CRV-7 rockets, distinct from BAE Systems APKWS.
FZ275 LGR, Laser-guided 70 mm rocket, MunitionsFZ275 LGRSeparate 70 mm rocketThales Belgium describes FZ275 LGR as a semi-active laser-guided 2.75-inch / 70 mm rocket compatible with standard FZ launchers.

Sources: Beechcraft AT-6 Becomes First Fixed-Wing Aircraft to Employ Laser Guided Rockets; Raytheon begins full rate production on TALON Laser Guided Rocket; GATR | Elbit Systems; AT-6 Wolverine and Beechcraft T-6 Texan II | Textron Aviation Defense; Lockheed Martin Unveils New Guidance Kit for 2.75-Inch/70mm Rockets; Laser guided rocket FZ275 LGR

Timeline

APKWS / WGU-59 guided rockets Key Events

  1. Production begins

    NAVAIR records APKWS II production beginning in 2011 after the program matured into a deployable laser-guidance-kit conversion for 2.75-inch rockets.

    Sources: Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS)

  2. Marine helicopter IOC

    Initial operational capability was declared on AH-1W and UH-1Y helicopters, and NAVAIR separately reported Afghanistan deployment with Marine helicopter units.

    Sources: Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS), Marine helicopters deploy with laser-guided rocket

  3. Fixed-wing fielding expands

    NAVAIR lists AV-8B, F-16, and A-10 fielding in 2016, extending APKWS II beyond the original Marine rotary-wing launch platforms.

    Sources: Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS)

  4. VAMPIRE delivery for Ukraine

    NAVAIR described VAMPIRE as a truck-mounted counter-UAS launcher with four-shot APKWS launchers and said 14 systems were being delivered to Ukraine's ground forces.

    Sources: Navy to complete rapid delivery of new counter-UAS system to Ukraine

Media
Related Weapon Systems
2.75-inch rockets, Unguided 2.75-inch air-launched rocket family, MunitionsMunitions2.75-inch rocketsUnguided 2.75-inch air-launched rocket familyThe 2.75-inch rocket family covers the U.S. 70 mm unguided aerial rocket line from early FFAR/Mk 4 and Mk 40 rockets through the modern Hydra-70/Mk 66 system. Army and GD-OTS sources describe a modular air-launched rocket used with multiple warheads from fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, while official U.S. military sources document 2.75-inch rocket use from Vietnam and Desert Storm through Iraq, Afghanistan, Operation Inherent Resolve, and U.S. aid to Ukraine.
Hydra-70 rocket system, 2.75-inch air-launched rocket family, MunitionsMunitionsHydra-70 rocket system2.75-inch air-launched rocket familyHydra-70 is the U.S. 2.75-inch air-launched rocket family managed by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems. Official sources describe it as a lightweight, multi-mission rocket family built around the MK66 motor, mission-specific warheads, and seven- or 19-tube launchers; cataloged conflict evidence includes U.S. transfers to Ukraine, Apache and Marine attack-helicopter use in Afghanistan and Operation Inherent Resolve, and Apache employment in the 1990 Gulf War.
VAMPIRE, Modular counter-UAS rocket system, Air DefenseAir DefenseVAMPIREModular counter-UAS rocket systemVAMPIRE, short for Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment, is L3Harris's self-contained counter-UAS weapons kit. The system is vehicle and platform agnostic, combines a WESCAM MX-10D RSTA sensor with APKWS or other laser-guided munitions, and has been used in Ukraine to defend against hostile unmanned systems and selected ground threats. L3Harris later expanded VAMPIRE into land, maritime, airborne, base-defense, and electronic-warfare variants, with U.S. Army orders adding a proximity-fuze APKWS configuration.

Sources