The U.S. Department of Defense is developing and manufacturing weapons to counter unmanned aerial systems.BAE Systemswas awarded a $145 million contract.
Defence BlogAccording to a report, the Ministry of Defense announced the contract last Wednesday (February 11). The contract will support the development and production of systems designed to counter unmanned aerial threats, a growing operational concern for U.S. and allied forces.
Work will be performed in Hudson, New Hampshire, USA, with an order period from February 12, 2026 to February 12, 2031. The contract also includes an initial delivery order valued at $66 million. Work under the initial delivery order is expected to be completed by July 31, 2027.
BAE Systemsis thatAdvanced Precision Kill Weapon System(APKWS) is an improved laser guidance kit for unmanned aircraft missions.
APKWS converts unguided rockets into laser-guided munitions and is designed for precision strikes against soft and lightly armored targets. The kit can be installed on existing equipment, making it a cost-effective option for the U.S. military.
This contract was completed as a single source procurement pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1 and only a single responsible source was cited.
The Air Force Lifecycle Management Center oversees the acquisition and maintenance of aviation systems and manages the program from Eglin Air Force Base.
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