(../../../../../pf/resources/img/defensenews-logo-white.png@d=145&mxId=00000000)       (../../../../../pf/resources/img/favicons/def/apple-touch-icon.png@d=145)  (../../../../../pf/resources/img/favicons/def/favicon-32x32.png@d=145)  (../../../../../pf/resources/img/favicons/def/apple-touch-icon.png@d=145)  (https://www.defensenews.com/pf/resources/img/favicons/def/safari-pinned-tab.svg?d=145)  (../../../../../pf/resources/img/favicons/def/favicon.ico@d=145)    (index.html)                   (https://d1voyiv1eh2vzr.cloudfront.net/)  (https://p.typekit.net/)  (https://use.typekit.net/)  (https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/)  (https://fonts.gstatic.com/)  (https://www.defensenews.com/#publisher)  Pentagon, BAE sign deal for up to 25,000 precision-guided munition kits a year     (../../../../../../fonts.googleapis.com/css2@family=IBM+Plex+Serif%253Aital,wght@0,300%3B0,400%3B0,500%3B0,600%3B0,700%3B1,300%3B1,400%3B1,700&display=optional.css)  (../../../../../../use.typekit.net/azw8xnv.css)  (../../../../../pf/dist/components/output-types/default.css@d=145&mxId=00000000.css)  (../../../../../pf/dist/components/combinations/default.css@d=145&mxId=00000000.css)  (../../../../../pf/dist/css/military-times.css@d=145&mxId=00000000.css)   Sections     Search     Sections Sections      (Defense News Logo) (https://www.defensenews.com/) (Defense News Logo)   (https://www.defensenews.com/air/) Air Warfare  (https://www.defensenews.com/land/) Land  (https://www.defensenews.com/naval/) Naval  (https://www.defensenews.com/space/) Space  (https://www.c4isrnet.com/cyber/?source=dfn-nav) CyberOpens in new window   (http://www.c4isrnet.com?source=dfn-nav) C4ISROpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/) Pentagon  (https://www.defensenews.com/congress/) Congress  (https://www.defensenews.com/global/) Global  (https://www.defensenews.com/video/) Video  (https://www.defensenews.com/thought-leadership/) Thought Leadership   Search             Close            (https://www.defensenews.com/subscribe) Subscribe Now  (https://www.defensenews.com/air/) Air Warfare  (https://www.defensenews.com/land/) Land  (https://www.defensenews.com/naval/) Naval  (https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/) Pentagon  (https://www.defensenews.com/congress/) Congress Show Congress sub sections      (https://www.defensenews.com/congress/budget/) Budget     (https://www.c4isrnet.com/cyber/?source=dfn-nav) CyberOpens in new window   (http://www.c4isrnet.com?source=dfn-nav) C4ISROpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/space/) Space  (https://www.defensenews.com/training-sim/) Training & Sim  (https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/) Unmanned  (https://www.defensenews.com/global/) Global Show Global sub sections      (https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/) Asia Pacific  (https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/) Europe  (https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/) Mideast Africa  (https://www.defensenews.com/global/the-americas/) The Americas     (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/) Industry Show Industry sub sections      (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/) MilTech  (https://people.defensenews.com/top-100/) Top 100Opens in new window   (https://one.sightlinemg.com/defensenews/pitch-our-defense-desk/) Pitch DeskOpens in new window      (https://www.defensenews.com/interviews/) Interviews  (https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/) Opinion  (https://www.defensenews.com/video/) Video Show Video sub sections      (https://www.defensenews.com/video/dntv/) Defense News Weekly  (https://www.defensenews.com/video/money-minute/) Money Minute     (https://www.defensenews.com/outlook/) Outlook  (https://www.defensenews.com/press-release/) Press Releases  (https://www.defensenews.com/thought-leadership/) Thought Leadership Show Thought Leadership sub sections      (https://hub.sightlinemediagroup.com/market-intel/) Whitepapers & eBooksOpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/special-coverage/) DSDs & SMRsOpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/events/) WebcastsOpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/events/) EventsOpens in new window      (https://link.defensenews.com/join/5ba/signup-newsletters?source=dfn-nav) NewslettersOpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/events) Events Calendar  (https://www.defensenews.com/native/) Native  (https://www.defensenews.com/ebb/) Early Bird Brief  (https://defensenews-va.newsmemory.com/) Digital EditionOpens in new window          Featured: (https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/ausa/) Coverage: AUSA Annual  (https://one.sightlinemg.com/defensenews/pitch-our-defense-desk/) Send us your pitch  (https://people.defensenews.com/top-100/) Top 100 Defense Companies                   (https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon) Pentagon    Pentagon, BAE sign deal for up to 25,000 precision-guided munition kits a year By (https://www.defensenews.com/author/michael-scanlon) Michael Scanlon     Oct 19, 2026, 06:50 PM                                ()    U.S. Marines load a 2.75-inch rocket configured with Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II into an LAU-68F/A rocket launcher at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, March 2018. (Ashley McLaughlin/U.S. Marine Corps)    The Defense Department has signed a framework agreement with BAE Systems to buy up to 25,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, or APKWS, guidance kits a year for as long as seven years, (https://www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4628487/department-of-war-and-bae-systems-sign-framework-agreement-to-surge-counter-dro/) the department announced Monday .  APKWS kits convert unguided 2.75-inch rockets into laser-guided munitions. All four services field them, and the weapon has become a (https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/08/24/italy-eyes-us-tech-for-souping-up-dumb-missiles-into-drone-interceptors/) cheaper alternative to air-to-air missiles for shooting down drones.      Congress still has to approve and fund the buy, the department said. (https://www.baesystems.com/en/article/bae-systems-us-department-of-war-sign-long-term-agreement-to-increase-apkws-production) BAE said it will increase production while the two sides work out a multiyear contract. Neither side announced the deal’s cost.  The framework also outlines a path to increase output to 35,000 kits a year for U.S. allies. The department said that added capacity will come online as partner nations formally request kits through the Foreign Military Sales program.  “By securing multi-year demand, this agreement keeps production lines running at capacity, provides our forces with interceptor inventory, and flips the cost calculus in the taxpayer’s favor,” Michael Duffey, the Pentagon’s undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment, said in the announcement.      BAE, which builds the kits in Hudson, New Hampshire, and Austin, Texas, said in February that it had (https://www.baesystems.com/en-us/article/bae-systems-delivers-100000th-apkws-laser-guidance-kit) delivered its 100,000th kit .  The 25,000 figure in this framework agreement matches capacity BAE has cited before. (https://www.army-technology.com/news/bae-systems-apkws-tested-in-precision-guided-rockets-milestone/) A company official said in 2023 that APKWS was in full-rate production with room to grow to 25,000 units a year.  “APKWS delivers proven, reliable and affordable precision at scale to counter evolving threats and ensure our warfighters maintain a decisive advantage,” said Tom Arseneault, president and CEO of BAE Systems Inc.  The Navy’s current five-year APKWS contract with BAE, (https://www.war.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4289452/) awarded in August 2025 , is worth up to $1.74 billion. It covers up to 55,000 kits for the Navy, the Army and foreign customers, with work expected to be completed by December 2031.      Among allied buyers, Saudi Arabia won State Department approval in July for a possible (https://www.state.gov/releases/bureau-of-political-military-affairs/2026/07/kingdom-of-saudi-arabia-advanced-precision-kill-weapon-systems/) $1.96 billion package that includes up to 20,000 APKWS kits, split evenly between air-to-air and air-to-ground versions. (https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/08/24/italy-eyes-us-tech-for-souping-up-dumb-missiles-into-drone-interceptors/) Italy is also weighing a buy of 5,031 kits for counter-drone defense.  The APKWS agreement is the latest in (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/03/25/pentagon-announces-major-surge-in-missile-production/) a series of framework deals the Pentagon has signed this year to boost munitions production.  In January, Lockheed Martin agreed to (https://www.defensenews.com/newsletters/2026/01/06/lockheed-to-triple-production-of-interceptor-missiles-in-pentagon-deal/) more than triple production of the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement, or PAC-3 MSE, interceptor. In March, BAE and Lockheed agreed to (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/03/25/pentagon-inks-deal-with-bae-lockheed-to-quadruple-thaad-seeker-production/) quadruple production of seekers for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, interceptor. A separate THAAD framework signed in January led to a (https://www.militarytimes.com/industry/techwatch/2026/06/25/lockheed-martin-wins-over-35-billion-contract-to-quadruple-thaad-production/) June contract worth more than $35 billion for the interceptors themselves. About  (https://www.defensenews.com/author/michael-scanlon) Michael Scanlon   Michael Scanlon is a defense journalist covering air and space warfare. A former U.S. Air Force A-10 crew chief, he has supported land and sea programs for the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.  Share:                             (https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon) More In Pentagon  ([object Object]) ()     (/recap/ausa/2026/10/16/recap-autonomy-dominates-the-us-armys-2026-conference-in-washington/) (https://www.defensenews.com/recap/ausa/2026/10/16/recap-autonomy-dominates-the-us-armys-2026-conference-in-washington/) Recap: Autonomy dominates the US Army’s 2026 conference in Washington  Dominating displays at this year’s show was an unmistakable surge in automation and unmanned systems, as well as weaponry and vehicle capabilities.        ()     (/industry/techwatch/2026/07/20/trust-between-operators-ccas-starts-with-simulations-former-air-force-secretary/) (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/07/20/trust-between-operators-ccas-starts-with-simulations-former-air-force-secretary/) Trust between operators, CCAs starts with simulations: Former Air Force secretary  Simulations and exercises will be key to boosting trust between operators and CCAs, according to former U.S. Air Force secretary Frank Kendall.        ()     (/home/2026/06/02/celebrating-40-years-of-defense-news/) (https://www.defensenews.com/home/2026/06/02/celebrating-40-years-of-defense-news/) Celebrating 40 years of Defense News  Since 1986, Defense News has been the authoritative voice for the world's defense decision-makers.        ()     (/air-warfare/2025/11/03/guardsman-learns-to-fly-autonomous-black-hawk-in-less-than-an-hour/) (https://www.defensenews.com/air-warfare/2025/11/03/guardsman-learns-to-fly-autonomous-black-hawk-in-less-than-an-hour/) Guardsman learns to fly autonomous Black Hawk in less than an hour  In a training first, an Army National Guardsman used a tablet to control Sikorsky's optionally piloted Black Hawk and plan its task during an exercise.        ([object Object]) ()     (/recap/ausa/2025/10/16/recap-highlights-from-the-us-armys-2025-conference-in-washington/) (https://www.defensenews.com/recap/ausa/2025/10/16/recap-highlights-from-the-us-armys-2025-conference-in-washington/) Recap: Highlights from the US Army’s 2025 conference in Washington  The Army continues to transform, with efforts focused on next-gen weaponry, long-range artillery, unmanned systems and much more.             Featured Video    (/video/2026/10/19/how-comtech-is-building-more-resilient-military-communications-networks/) (https://www.defensenews.com/video/2026/10/19/how-comtech-is-building-more-resilient-military-communications-networks/) How Comtech Is Building More Resilient Military Communications Networks        ()     (/video/2026/10/16/how-iridium-is-helping-the-army-stay-connected-beyond-line-of-sight/) (https://www.defensenews.com/video/2026/10/16/how-iridium-is-helping-the-army-stay-connected-beyond-line-of-sight/) How Iridium Is Helping the Army Stay Connected Beyond Line of Sight        ()     (/video/2026/10/16/eos-defense-systems-prepares-to-build-slinger-counter-drone-systems/) (https://www.defensenews.com/video/2026/10/16/eos-defense-systems-prepares-to-build-slinger-counter-drone-systems/) EOS Defense Systems Prepares to Build Slinger Counter-Drone Systems        ()     (/video/2026/10/15/lockheed-martin-unveils-new-pac-3-edge-interceptor-for-patriot-systems/) (https://www.defensenews.com/video/2026/10/15/lockheed-martin-unveils-new-pac-3-edge-interceptor-for-patriot-systems/) Lockheed Martin unveils new PAC-3 Edge interceptor for Patriot systems                       Trending Now (/land/2026/10/15/us-special-operations-adopts-new-half-mask-and-goggles/) (https://www.defensenews.com/land/2026/10/15/us-special-operations-adopts-new-half-mask-and-goggles/) US Special Operations adopts new half-mask and goggles        (/global/mideast-africa/2026/10/16/israel-secures-procurement-of-12-apache-gunships-in-last-minute-maneuver/) (https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2026/10/16/israel-secures-procurement-of-12-apache-gunships-in-last-minute-maneuver/) Israel secures procurement of 12 Apache gunships in last-minute maneuver        (/industry/techwatch/2026/10/18/us-arms-firm-anduril-could-make-interceptors-in-europe-executive-says/) (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/10/18/us-arms-firm-anduril-could-make-interceptors-in-europe-executive-says/) US arms firm Anduril could make interceptors in Europe, executive says        (/land/2026/10/14/new-human-machine-interface-will-help-boxer-punch-above-its-weight/) (https://www.defensenews.com/land/2026/10/14/new-human-machine-interface-will-help-boxer-punch-above-its-weight/) New human-machine interface will help Boxer punch above its weight        (/industry/techwatch/2026/10/16/what-is-starshield-spacexs-military-version-of-starlink/) (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/10/16/what-is-starshield-spacexs-military-version-of-starlink/) What is Starshield, SpaceX’s military version of Starlink?                         (https://www.facebook.com/DefenseNews)   Facebook page  (https://twitter.com/defense_news)   Twitter feed  (https://www.defensenews.com/m/rss/)   RSS feed    Defense News © 2026  Terms of Use (https://www.defensenews.com/m/privacy-policy/) Privacy Policy  (https://www.defensenews.com/m/terms-of-services/) Terms of Service    Get Us (https://www.defensenews.com/subscribe) Subscribe Now  (https://www.defensenews.com/newsletters/) NewslettersOpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/events/) EventsOpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/m/defense-news-rss-feeds/) RSS FeedsOpens in new window   (https://subscribe.sightlinemg.com/collections) Shop MerchOpens in new window     Contact Us (https://www.defensenews.com/m/advertising/) Advertise  (https://www.defensenews.com/m/contact-us/) General Contacts, Subscription Services  (https://www.defensenews.com/editorial-contacts/) Editorial Staff  (https://one.sightlinemg.com/defensenews/pitch-our-defense-desk/) Pitch DeskOpens in new window     About Us (https://www.defensenews.com/m/about-us/) About Us  (https://boards.greenhouse.io/sightlinemediagroup?gh_src=cpxe2a1) CareersOpens in new window      (Defense News Logo)         (gtm)