Seventy-year-old HYDRA 70 rockets have received modern capabilities. Yesterday, October 12, the press service of BAE Systems announced the successful use of APKWS ammunition against aerial targets.
"Unlike expensive missiles with automatic guidance, APKWS missiles do not need to capture the target before launch, instead they rely on a semi-active laser guidance system that is activated at launch, saving precious seconds for the soldier," the BAE Systems press service reported.
Rendering of the use of APKWS missiles against aerial targets
Image source: baesystems.com
During the tests, APKWS missiles successfully hit aerial targets - drones of the 2nd class (weight - up to 25 kg, flight altitude - up to 1000 m). The missiles were guided by a laser beam, and thanks to the new contactless fuse, a direct hit on the target was not required — it was destroyed by an explosive wave and fragments.
APKWS Rocket
Image source: aswetalk.net
APKWS (Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System— is an upgraded version of the HYDRA 70 unguided missile, which entered service with the US army in 1948. During the modernization, the ammunition received a module with laser sensors and rotary blades for precise targeting. The process of upgrading the HYDRA 70 to APKWS is as follows: the HYDRA 70 rocket is disassembled into two components (a warhead and a rocket engine), between which a new block with blades and sensors is screwed in.
