Mooresville, NC, July 22, 2024 – MSI Defense Solutions has delivered the first 70mm centric Counter-UAS system acquired by the Department of Defense for use by the United States Army. Through the Rapid Acquisition Authority (RAA), MSI was awarded a contract for six EAGLS™ (Electronic Advanced Ground Launcher System) counter-UAS systems, including associated engineering and maintenance support. The contract was awarded by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to support forward deployed forces facing emerging and persistent Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) threats.

Interesting Engineering reports,

The US Army has received the six MSI Defense Solutions’ (MSI) Electronic Advanced Ground Launcher Systems (EAGLS) to improve its counter-drone capabilities.

In April, the US Army’s Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) announced the order for a firm-fixed-price contract with MSI with a not-to-exceed value of $24,186,464.

Aside from the fact that the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) does not belong to the US Army, there is good information here, about systems that might find their way onto US Coast Guard assets. (Anything that can be mounted on a road going 4×4 vehicle can be mounted on a ship, and I think we have, or should have, a counter UAS capability requirement.)

USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC-1141) prior to departure for PATFORSWA.

Those radars on top of the truck cab may look familiar.

The purchase seems to show confidence that APKWS can be used effectively against Unmanned Air Systems. The more modest Vampire system is already being used in Ukraine.

A close-up of the modified CROWS II fitted with the LAND-LGR4 launcher and the added sensor or other system (silver/gray rather than tan). US Army

APKWS, like most 70mm guided rocket systems, is a modification of the Hydra 70mm (2.75″) unguided rocket, which is available with a variety of warheads and fuses, including a proximity fuse.

The system can do more than just counter UAS. This is a system we could put any cutter, WPB size and up, and have most of the effective range and hitting power of a 76mm and at three times the effective range of a 25mm Mk38 Mod2/3 with minimal footprint and support requirements.