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Kiev forces have begun using Land-LGR4 Fletcher launchers armed with APKWS precision-guided munitions against the Russian military.
On May 7, video footage surfaced online showing recent strikes with the combined system against several Russian positions and surveillance equipment within the special military operation zone in Ukraine.
The Land-LGR4 light launcher, which can be armed with four 70 mm rockets, was designed by Germany’s Arnold Defense to be mounted on light wheeled vehicles.
In Ukraine’s case, the launcher was mounted on American-made Humvee armored vehicles and used to fire the APKWS, or Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, a kit developed by British BAE Systems in cooperation with Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics of the United States to convert Hydra 70 unguided rockets into precision-guided munitions.
When launched from the ground, the APKWS has a range of six kilometers only. The munition is equipped with a distributed aperture semi-active laser seeker that allows for a circular error probable of less than 0,5 meter.
The destructive power of the precision-guided munition is limited, as Hydra 70 rockets are typically armed with warheads weighing between 3,9 and 4,2 kg.
In May of last year, the U.S. announced its intention to supply Ukraine with tens of millions worth of APKWS munitions. Later in August, Germany said that it would provide Kiev forces with 20 70 mm rocket launchers and related laser target designators.
The decision to supply Ukraine with Land-LGR4 launchers and APKWS munitions was likely taken to make up for shortage in Western anti-tank guided missiles, as well as to help prepare Kiev forces for their upcoming large-scale offensive against the Russian military.
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