The Department of War has signed a framework agreement to increase production of interceptor kits used to defend against drones and other aerial threats as the Pentagon moves to boost the development of counter-drone systems.
The agreement announced with BAE Systems on Oct. 19 expands production of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS). Under the deal, the Pentagon will purchase up to 25,000 weapon system guidance kits each year for up to seven years.
The APKWS kits produced by BAE Systems convert unguided 2.75-inch rockets into precision-guided munitions. Utilized by the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, the kits can be used for air-to-air, air-to-surface, surface-to-surface, and surface-to-air engagements….