Air Force considering laser-guided rocket capability to take down enemy drones

The Air Force is asking industry how it could add Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System technologies to its fleet of counter small-unmanned aircraft systems to better combat small- to medium-sized enemy drones.

Such APKWS capabilities would provide pinpoint accuracy and minimal collateral damage in battle against Groups one, two and three drones -- the nomenclature used by the Pentagon to describe sUAS between zero and 1,320 lbs. which can travel up to 250 knots, according to a request for information issued today by Air Force Materiel Command.

The service “is looking for all systems capable of taking track data/queues from sensors to laze targets and launch guided Hydra 70 APKWS rockets. Native target detection/sensing and C2 capabilities are not required on system,” per the notice.

Additionally, the Air Force indicated it would likely only consider “Technology Readiness Level 6” options from companies, or those that are already fully prototyped and technically demonstrated in a relevant environment.

Vendors have until Dec. 31 to respond to several questions about the system’s hardware configuration and capabilities, including its ability to engage with multiple sUAS swarm in a short period of time, whether the system needs to be stationary or if it can be mounted onto a vehicle and the number of times the system can be fired before it needs to be reloaded.

Other questions regard the option’s software, intellectual property assertions, pricing, support and sustainment.