NASHVILLE—General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) is showcasing a new counter-uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) role for its MQ-1C Gray Eagle as the mission is increasing in importance across the world.
The company is displaying an aircraft outfitted with launchers for the AGR-20 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS)for the first time at the Army Aviation Association of America conference here. The BAE Systems APKWS has become a key system U.S. fighter aircraft have started to use to down Iranian-made drones in the Middle East. The APKWS also has been used for counter-UAS ground-launched systems.
The APKWS costs about $20,000 per round, which is significantly cheaper than other missiles that have been used to down UAVs such as AIM-9Xs.
GA-ASI is developing the capability internally, using its own Eagle Eye radar to find and track small UAS.
“The ability to see further, to see these things, to be able to engage them and take them out is extremely valuable,” says Mike Shortsleeve, vice president of Defense Department strategic development at GA-ASI. “And that's something that's already existing in the inventory.”