Marine Aviators Complete Integrated Testing of Advanced Kill Weapon System

BAE Systems ^ | 1/29/2010 | BAE Systems

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Aviators from the U.S. Marine Corps completed the integrated test phase of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) program Jan. 5, firing five rounds against stationary and moving targets. All five shots hit their intended targets within 2 meters of the laser designator’s spot.

In the final series of shots in integrated testing, five laser-guided rockets were fired from a variety of distances from a Marine AH-1W Cobra helicopter. Four of the shots were against moving targets traveling at a range of speeds, while the fifth shot was against a stationary target board.

The program now moves into an assessment of the operational effectiveness of APKWS, which provides aviators with a highly precise, low-yield weapon that is effective against soft and lightly armored targets while causing minimal collateral damage. APKWS was developed by BAE Systems and the U.S. government. Operational assessment is planned to include up to eight shots that are designed by Marine aviators to represent conditions that might be encountered in theater.

“During operational assessment, Marine aviators are getting a chance to ‘test drive’ APKWS before it’s deployed to theater,” said Maj. Matt Sale, requirements officer for Marine Corps Aviation Weapons. “These test shots will confirm that APKWS will be highly effective in allowing Marine aviators to prosecute targets while minimizing the risk of harm to nearby friendly forces and non-combatants.”

Operational assessment is the final testing in the APKWS development program. It will demonstrate the system’s effectiveness in a variety of scenarios, platform speeds, ranges, and tactics against different targets

[HiTech RedNeck]

Advanced kill? Not only makes them dead but sends them to hell too?

[xone]

Cool.