In a breakthrough for uncrewed air combat systems, BAE Systems has test-fired laser-guided rockets from its TRV-150 drone, marking the first-ever air-to-air engagement using such a platform.
The demonstration, conducted at the US Army’s Dugway Proving Ground in Utah, saw the TRV-150 launch precision-guided rockets featuring the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS). The rockets struck all designated air and ground targets with perfect accuracy.
This test marks a leap forward in operational capability, as APKWS munitions had until now only been deployed from piloted aircraft like the F-16 and AH-64 Apache.
With this successful drone integration, the system’s deployment options have expanded to include unmanned platforms, enhancing tactical flexibility on the battlefield.
The TRV-150 itself is a modified version of the T-150 logistics drone, originally engineered by Malloy Aeronautics and adapted by BAE Systems in collaboration with SURVICE Engineering. The drone can carry up to 150 pounds of cargo in challenging weather and transform into a strike platform within an hour—a versatility that adds strategic value to defense operations.
APKWS technology offers a cost-efficient solution for neutralizing drone threats and other battlefield targets. Each $22,000 unit turns standard 70mm rockets into accurate, laser-guided weapons capable of hitting moving and armored targets up to 6 kilometers away.
The rockets are powered by a Mk66 Mod 4 motor, propelling them at speeds of up to 1,000 meters per second while maintaining low risk to surrounding assets due to their precision and limited blast radius.
