USA Allocates $145 Million for Development of APKWS II Missiles with Infrared Homing Head

The USA has allocated $145 million to develop a new version of the APKWS II missile with a dual-mode laser and infrared homing head to counter large groups of drones.

Defence Blog reported on this.

Work focuses on developing prototypes of air-to-air missiles equipped with a long-wave infrared (LWIR) homing head, a warhead, and a fuse designed to destroy Group 3 drones (25–600 kg).

According to the document, the updated configuration should ensure targeting using an infrared homing head in the final stage of flight. Until that moment, the missile’s trajectory will be corrected using laser target illumination.

This will reduce the time the aircraft crew must keep the laser on the target, thereby reducing combat risks and enabling faster launches against multiple aerial targets. The new components remain compatible with the existing APKWS interface developed by BAE Systems.

The contract is structured as an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity agreement and is planned to be awarded on a non-competitive basis to BAE Systems. Work is scheduled to begin no later than the end of March 2026.

According to the program documentation, 300 prototypes will be manufactured using new components. Of these, 100 missiles will be used for integration and qualification testing, and 200 will be used for operational testing in real-world conditions.

The program includes a 24-month development and integration phase, followed by a 60-month “order window” to transition to full-scale serial production.

Integration tests are planned to be conducted on the F-16 platform to confirm airworthiness and compliance with operational requirements.

Of the $150 million, approximately $62 million will be spent on component development, $56 million on testing and qualifying operational prototypes, and $27 million on reducing technical risks and certification for the US Navy.

APKWS II modification

The development of the new APKWS II version was first announced in April 2025. At the time, it was reported that development was scheduled for completion in 2026.

The new modification features a completely new design and now consists of a single module fully integrated with the missile’s warhead. This is significantly different from APKWS, where the guidance kit was simply screwed between the removable warhead and the rocket motor.

While first-generation systems used wing-mounted sensors for laser guidance, the new system’s complex infrared homing head required installation in the missile’s nose. Accordingly, APKWS II modules now only require a rocket motor.