Australian Tiger helicopter fires APKWS laser-guided rocket
An Australian Defence Force (ADF) Tiger helicopter has fired the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guided rocket at a recent demonstration, BAE Systems announced on 13 April. The firing is part of work being carried out to examine the potential for APKWS rocket use by the Australian Army.
This marked the first time that an ADF Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) has fired an APKWS rocket, demonstrating its precision strike capability. A Forges de Zeebrugge (FZ) rocket motor, warhead, and launcher were used for the live fire flight trials.
The flight trials were preceded by a ground-based live fire event in August 2014. During the flight trials, ten test shots were conducted in extreme heat conditions at ranges of 1,500m-4,500m, at altitudes of 200ft-1,500ft, and at speeds of up to 140 knots. All ten shots hit within a metre of the laser spot target.
The tests were conducted by an integrated test team from the Royal Australian Air Force and Defence Materiel Organisation. With the successful results, the APKWS rocket will be taken to the next stage of the trial process.
David Harrold, director of precision guidance solutions, BAE Systems, said: 'These demonstrations have proven the versatility and flexibility of the APKWS rocket.
'The results are clear that our unique mid-body design can quickly and cost-effectively transform current inventory of unguided FZ rockets into highly precise weapons for greater mission success as it has done for Hydra rockets since initial fielding in 2012.'
Major David Paterson, Rotary Wing Flight Commander, Australian Aircraft Stores Compatibility Engineering Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, added: 'The combination of a perfect seven-for-seven from the ground trial and ten-for-ten from the flight trial confirms this as a fully functioning capability.
'This testing supports the potential use of the APKWS rocket on the ARH, and it clearly demonstrated the weapon's capability under a wide range of flight conditions.'
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine]()
Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
-
![Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook]()
Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook
Boeing has clinched a major contract modification to further its backing of the US Special Operations Command’s MH-47G Chinook aircraft modernisation effort.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut]()
Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut
Two KAI helicopters, the KUH-1E utility helicopter and the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH), have taken centre stage at the Dubai Airshow 2023.
-
![Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter]()
Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter
The Italian Navy now boasts a fleet of 56 NH90 helicopters comprising 46 SH-90As and 10 MH-90As.
-
![Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters]()
Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.
-
![DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest]()
DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest
Lockheed Martin promises a boost to the British job market and export opportunities, while strengthening ties with Poland and positioning the UK for a future in rotorcraft technology in the event of a New Medium Helicopter competition triumph.
