30 September 2016, 04:47 GMT
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US military awarded BAE Systems a contract worth more than $618 million for an Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) for the United States, Iraq and four other foreign governments, the Pentagon said in a press release.
"BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration was awarded a not-to-exceed $618,343,700… contract for the procurement of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System in support of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, and governments of Iraq, Lebanon, Netherlands, Jordan, and Australia under the Foreign Military Sales program," the release stated on Friday.
A key component of the contract is the conversion of 2.75-inch rocket system to a semi-active laser guided precision weapon, the release noted.
APKWS is designed to use on combat helicopters, strike aircraft and remotely piloted vehicles.
Work will be performed in the US states of New Hampshire and Texas (30 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2018.
