BAE Systems Conducts Second Successful Weapon Test in Three Days.

CRESTVIEW, Fla. -- BAE Systems conducted its second successful test flight of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) guided rocket in three days.

During the May 10, 2007, test, the 2.75-inch rocket hit the target within the 2 meter requirement of the laser designator. The primary objective

APKWS is a joint-interest program with Army and Navy and Marine Corps participation. The Navy funded this test flight under its scope in the contract. This was the ninth successful laser-designated guided flight of the APKWS, a low-cost, lightweight guided weapon effective against soft and lightly armored targets.

"From a warfighter's perspective, APKWS will be a significant addition to the rotary-wing aviator's arsenal," said Col. Rick Stockhausen, director of Combat Developments at the Army's Aviation Warfighting Center at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

The Army and Navy each have validated the requirement for APKWS and have worked in coordination on the program. The Navy funded this flight test under its scope in the contract.

"The Navy is very pleased by the performance of APKWS during this week of testing," said Michelle McBride, the Navy's APKWS program manager. "The BAE Systems team has worked diligently to mature this technology and the success of these tests indicates that this program is ready to move forward."

This week's tests "are critical in understanding how the system will react when it is shot from a moving helicopter," said Dick Venuti, BAE Systems' APKWS program director in Nashua, New Hampshire.

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is a global defense and aerospace company, delivering a full range of products and services for air, land, and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions, and customer support services. BAE Systems, with 88,000 employees worldwide, had 2006 sales that exceeded $25 billion.