Greek Air Force staff and BAE systems officials met in Athens on June 29th to add Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) capacity to Greek fighters. The Air Force wants its F-16s to gain the ability to autonomously indicate targets with lasers through SNIPER-type targeting pods (TGP). The force is interested in BAE Systems’ APKWS II laser-guidance kits that transform an unguided 2.75-inch (70 millimetres) Hydra Rocket into a precision-guided rocket.
According to the Greek Media, the Air Force wants to upgrade 20 T-6A Texan II trainers into Close Air Support as AT-6E Wolverine. The aircraft may carry Hydra 70 rocket launchers combined with electro-optical turrets that also feature laser pointers.
The Greek media has also noted that Greece intends to upgrade Hydra rockets into APKWS II laser-guided rockets. It is said that the Greek Armed Forces have stock greater than 15,000 units.
Recently, the British BAE Systems announced that it had completed the development of a new version, with increased range, of the APKWS II guided rockets. According to BAE Systems, the new rockets will have a 30 per cent increased maximum range, at 10.4 kilometres, from the current 8. In addition to the increasing range, the new APKWS IIs can perform attacks from a closer angle.
