The Hydra 70 rocket has been a highly successful and cost-effective means of delivering a variety of weapons packages. Recently, the development of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) has been converting the missiles into guided munitions, retaining their low cost yet providing an excellent bridge between the original Hydras and the precision-guided AGM-114 Hellfire. The upgrade can produce hazardous waste, and a professional recycler should be consulted before disposal.
APKWS Is Fantastically Effective and Efficient in Its Role
The upgrade creates a lightweight and low-cost guided rocket with surgical-strike capabilities, in many cases fitting existing Hydra 70 launchers and warheads. A mid-body guidance unit works with a semi-active laser seeker for precision strikes up to the operational range of the Hydra rocket motors. The mid-range size allows for a powerful punch yet minimizes collateral damage, while the advanced optics are creating a real-world combat hit rate of over 93%.
The Simple Design Allows for Amazing Flexibility
Retrofitting Hydra 70s is simple and quick, requiring no modifications to the rocket motor and in many cases using the same firing platform and control systems. The system is currently being integrated into multiple platforms, finding substantial combat successes with both rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. Rotary aircraft include
- Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout autonomous helicopter.
- AH-64 Apache and Apache Longbow
- OH-58D Kiowa Warrior
- AH-1W SuperCobra and AH-1Z Viper
- Bell 407GT
- UH-1Y Venom
Fixed wing aircraft are also being fitted, and units have seen numerous combat sorties attached to the A-10 Thunderbolt II, various fighters and other aircraft as needed.
New Optics Means Precision at Lowered Cost and Weight
The upgraded missiles are notably lightweight, allowing for more stowed weapons without a reduction in firepower, thanks to the accuracy of the distributed optics on all four guidance canards. The soft-target warheads are extremely destructive against unarmored targets. Already, the combined services have fired thousands of APKWS-retrofitted munitions in-theater, and the program has proven so successful that over 20 different platforms have been approved for the upgrade.
DoD Regulations Make Disposing Hazardous Waste and Some Electronics Into Landfills Illegal
Contractors who work with the Department of Defense often have to prove that their data is being securely destroyed and their waste products are disposed of responsibly. Techwaste is licensed and certified to handle all your electronic waste, including free pickup, a detailed IT asset disposition report and an account representative to help you ensure you’re meeting their stringent requirements. The retrofitting of APKWS does create some e-waste, especially when removing old guidance systems, and all of this must be carefully handled by experienced recyclers.
TechWaste Recycling directly services all of Southern California and provides pickup services to its facilities from nationwide locations. Visit TechWaste Recycling’s website at www.techwasterecycling.com to schedule a pickup that works for your convenience and schedule.
Learn more about TechWaste’s recycling process here: Secure Recycling Process
Contact Info:
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Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone: 866-637-8469
