The US Army's frustrated, decade-long ambition to buy a guided rocket for its scout helicopters has taken another twist.
Five years ago, the army started developing the advanced precision kill weapon system (APKWS), adapting the standard -- and wildly inaccurate -- 2.75-in Hydra rocket with a semi-active laser. After the General Dynamics/BAE Systems team scored two test failures in early 2005, the army terminated the contract. The program was re-opened to competitive bids, allowing Lockheed and Raytheon to submit proposals against a reorganized BAE/General Dynamics team. But the army stuck with its original contractor, awarding the APKWS II contract to BAE.
But that wasn't nearly the end of the story. A year later, Congress took the money for APKWS II away from the army and gave it to the US Marine Corps, which is integrating the weapon the Bell UH-1Y and AH-1Z. The army seemed to lose interest. Meanwhile, Lockheed continued developing their version of the guided rocket, calling its version the direct attack guided rocket (DAGR). Raytheon also stayed in the mix, receiving funding from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). And foreign companies, such as Thales, have also developed their own version of a lightweight guided munition.
Now, after all this time, the US army is again soliciting options for a "lightweight precision guided munition", which could be capable of targeting lightly armored vehicles and people by a OH-58D Kiowa Warrior. The army will no doubt invite the same bidders who competed for APKWS II, and Lockheed has already confirmed plans to respond to the army's solicitation.
Five years ago, the army started developing the advanced precision kill weapon system (APKWS), adapting the standard -- and wildly inaccurate -- 2.75-in Hydra rocket with a semi-active laser. After the General Dynamics/BAE Systems team scored two test failures in early 2005, the army terminated the contract. The program was re-opened to competitive bids, allowing Lockheed and Raytheon to submit proposals against a reorganized BAE/General Dynamics team. But the army stuck with its original contractor, awarding the APKWS II contract to BAE.
But that wasn't nearly the end of the story. A year later, Congress took the money for APKWS II away from the army and gave it to the US Marine Corps, which is integrating the weapon the Bell UH-1Y and AH-1Z. The army seemed to lose interest. Meanwhile, Lockheed continued developing their version of the guided rocket, calling its version the direct attack guided rocket (DAGR). Raytheon also stayed in the mix, receiving funding from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). And foreign companies, such as Thales, have also developed their own version of a lightweight guided munition.
Now, after all this time, the US army is again soliciting options for a "lightweight precision guided munition", which could be capable of targeting lightly armored vehicles and people by a OH-58D Kiowa Warrior. The army will no doubt invite the same bidders who competed for APKWS II, and Lockheed has already confirmed plans to respond to the army's solicitation.
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