BAE advances Eurofighter APKWS rocket integration with 14-shot capacity amid wider interest

BAE Systems is progressing tests of an enhanced capability to equip the Royal Air Force's Eurofighter Typhoons with two seven-round launchers for the company’s Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) guided rockets. This development comes shortly after the Typhoons began operational flights with a single launcher, marking a substantial upgrade in their counter-drone armament.

The upgrade, currently under evaluation at BAE's Warton facility in Lancashire, aims to provide the Eurofighter platform with the ability to deploy 14 guided 70mm rockets simultaneously. This dual-pod configuration is intended to significantly boost the jet’s capacity to neutralize emerging threats such as one-way attack drones, a growing concern in contemporary aerial combat environments.

Operational deployment began in May with RAF Typhoons flying out of RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus fitted with single seven-round APKWS pods. The rocket system, laser-guided and low-cost, fills an important niche as a counter-uncrewed aerial system (C-UAS) weapon. BAE rapidly pursued this integration starting in late 2025, achieving a first air-to-surface launch by February 2026, followed by a successful air-to-air test timed with updates to the aircraft’s Rafael Litening 5 targeting pod software.

The RAF’s adoption came under an urgent operational requirement, relying initially on a limited envelope approval. BAE is expanding this clearance to broaden the weapon's role and further integrate it within the Typhoon’s combat suite. The ability to detect, track, and engage low-speed, low-signature drones is enhanced by the Eurofighter’s Captor M radar, enabling operator self-designation and precise rocket firing, a game-changer for the platform’s defensive capabilities against modern threats.

Increasingly, other Eurofighter operators have expressed interest in this APKWS integration, said BAE’s managing director for air operations, Richard Hamilton. The Typhoon user community includes original partners Germany, Italy, Spain; export customers Austria, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia; and prospective operator Turkey. Some nations use different targeting pods, such as the Lockheed Martin Sniper, which would require additional integration work to adopt APKWS within their fleets.

Further improvements to the APKWS are underway at BAE, including an upgraded guidance mode incorporating infrared tracking. This enhancement would lessen dependence on continuous laser lock by the launch aircraft, streamlining engagements and improving survivability. Such innovations align with the evolving demands faced by Eurofighter operators responding to asymmetric aerial threats worldwide.

The Eurofighter program is also experiencing a surge in activity stemming from recent Middle East conflicts and the protracted Ukraine war. Operational demands from current users have increased exponentially in the past year, driving both heightened support requirements and production rates. BAE and its partners have increased combined annual Typhoon output from 14 to approximately 20 aircraft to meet renewed orders from Germany, Italy, Spain, and Turkey.

A total of 620 Typhoons have been delivered to date, with a current firm order book exceeding 770 units. BAE secured a 20-aircraft order for Turkey last year, and ongoing export discussions include potential follow-on buys by Saudi Arabia and proposals from Leonardo for Poland’s air force. Production lines are positioned for sustained activity well into the 2030s, reflecting strong market confidence in the Eurofighter’s continued relevance and capabilities.

BAE emphasizes readiness for future government decisions on enhancing national Typhoon fleets and pursuing new export opportunities. The expanding APKWS integration complements this outlook by adding a key capability to counter emerging unmanned threats, reinforcing the Eurofighter Typhoon’s adaptability as a modern multi-role combat aircraft.