On April 8, BAE Systems announced it had successfully test-fired a low-cost precision weapon from a Eurofighter Typhoon.
The trial took place in the United Kingdom with the help of the Royal Air Force and shows the growing effort to deploy cheaper but effective weapons against uncrewed aerial systems.
Trial validates low-cost strike capability
The test took place at BAE Systems’ flight test development center in Warton, Lancashire. An RAF Typhoon test and evaluation aircraft launched the weapon and successfully struck a ground-based target at a UK military testing range.
The system tested was the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, commonly known as APKWS. It is not a standalone missile but a kit that converts unguided Hydra 70 rockets into precision-guided munitions.
Richard Hamilton, managing director of air operations at BAE Systems’ air sector, said, “This trial with the APKWS laser-guidance kit on Typhoon demonstrates a game-changing capability and a cost-effective solution that would enhance Typhoon’s already impressive range of weapons capabilities.”
The company said the trial is part of ongoing efforts to expand Typhoon’s combat role while keeping operational costs under control.
How APKWS turns rockets into smart weapons
APKWS works by inserting a guidance section between the rocket motor and warhead of a standard 2.75-inch (70 mm) Hydra rocket. This section includes small canard fins equipped with laser seekers.
Once fired, the seekers lock onto a laser-designated target, allowing the rocket to adjust its path in flight. This transforms a basic unguided rocket into a precision weapon capable of both air-to-surface and air-to-air engagements.
The system has been in service since 2012 and is already used on aircraft such as the F-16 and A-10, as well as various helicopters. Its combat-proven track record has made it a flexible, multi-mission option for modern forces.
Cheap counter to expensive drone threats
One of APKWS’s biggest advantages is cost. At under $40,000 per unit, it is far cheaper than traditional air-to-air missiles, which can cost hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.
This makes it especially attractive for countering drones, including low-cost threats such as Iranian-made Shahed systems. Using expensive missiles against cheap drones has been a major concern in recent conflicts, pushing militaries to seek more economical solutions.
Recent combat use reflects this shift. Reports indicate APKWS has been used by F-16 fighters against drone threats in the Red Sea, while the Pentagon placed orders worth $322 million for thousands of these guided rockets last year.
The latest Typhoon trial builds on earlier testing in the United States using the F-15E Strike Eagle, further proving the system’s adaptability across multiple aircraft platforms.
Expanding Typhoon’s future combat role
BAE Systems said the testing will provide valuable data on integrating low-cost precision weapons onto the Typhoon, particularly for counter-drone missions where affordability is critical.
The trial also opens the door to future testing against airborne targets, which would further expand the aircraft’s capabilities in air-to-air engagements.
The UK is already exploring multiple anti-drone systems. The Royal Navy’s Wildcat helicopters have been equipped with the Lightweight Multirole Missile, also known as Martlet, and deployed to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus to defend against drone threats.