US Precision-Guided Missile Falls Intact in Ukraine, Seized by Russian Forces

A US-made "APKWS II" (Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System) guided missile has fallen into the hands of Russian military personnel. The Russian Telegram channel "Voenny Osvedomitel" reported this.

The missile was captured after the warhead's fuse malfunctioned, leaving the projectile intact following its impact on the ground.

The channel published a photograph showing a Russian soldier standing next to the unexploded APKWS missile.

The channel did not specify the operational axis where the photo was taken or the area where the missile was found.

It is worth noting that the Ukrainian Armed Forces use these munitions to target Russian "Geran" drones and can be launched from F-16 fighter jets. The missile has a range of approximately 11 kilometers.

Additional information about the US missile

APKWS II (Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System) is a project by BAE Systems, relying on converting the unguided Hydra 70 70mm rocket into a precision-guided munition by integrating a semi-active laser guidance kit between the warhead and the motor. Production of the improved version began in 2011.

Technical specifications:

Weight: Approximately 15 kilograms.
Diameter: 70 mm.
Length: 1.87 meters.
Maximum speed: Between 740 and 1100 meters per second, roughly Mach 2.
Effective range: Between 2 and 11 kilometers when launched from a fixed-wing aircraft, potentially reaching 12-15 kilometers depending on the platform and launch altitude.

Cost and Economic Advantage

Low cost is one of the most prominent advantages of this missile, as the price of the laser guidance unit ranges between $15,000 and $20,000, which is low compared to traditional air-to-air missiles. For comparison, the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile costs around $1 million, while the AIM-9X Sidewinder exceeds $450,000.

This feature makes the missile a suitable option for countering low-cost aerial targets, such as drones.

Platforms and Missions

APKWS II is designed for use on a wide range of platforms, including:

AH-64 Apache attack helicopters.

F-16, F-15E Strike Eagle, and F/A-18 Hornet fighters.

It has also been tested on Eurofighter Typhoon fighters.

Operational Use in Ukraine

The missile gained fame following reports of Ukrainian forces using it aboard F-16 fighters to intercept Russian "Geran" and "Shahed" drones. The use of these munitions in this role is considered less costly than using expensive air-to-air missiles.

Published images show that an F-16 fighter can carry six LAU-131/A pods, each containing seven missiles, meaning it can carry 42 APKWS II missiles in a single sortie.

Future Development AGR-20F FALCO

Work is underway to develop a new version named AGR-20F FALCO, equipped with a dual-mode guidance system combining laser guidance and long-wave infrared (LWIR) seeker.

This development aims to reduce the time the pilot needs to keep the laser beam locked on the target, transitioning to a "fire-and-forget" mode, allowing for faster engagement with large numbers of drones.

An amount of $145 million has been allocated for the development of this version, with plans to test it on the F-16 platform.

Source: Rossiyskaya Gazeta