BAE Systems has entered the final phase of testing on its Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS), a technology that increases the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of airborne weapon systems. The tests seek to confirm the production readiness of the APKWS rocket and its ability to meet Navy and Marine Corps requirements, including safely launching from a helicopter, and reliably acquiring, tracking, and hitting laser-designated targets. In the most recent testing, a laser-guided rocket fired from a U.S. Marine Corps Cobra helicopter hit a stationary target. This test firing initiated a sequence of more than 20 firings that will comprise the program's final test phase, to be completed by the end of 2009. With completion of this contractor test flight, BAE Systems and the Navy are preparing for Navy demonstration test flights and full government qualification testing. APKWS will enter production in 2010. APKWS can be fired from any helicopter that can launch 2.75-inch rockets including the AH-1 Cobra, UH-1 Huey, OH-58 Kiowa Warrior, and AH-64 Apache.

BAE Systems plc announced that it has been awarded a multi-million dollar contract by Plasan North America to provide armoring solutions and components for MRAP All Terrain Vehicles (M-ATV) bound for deployment in Afghanistan. The contract with Plasan underscores BAE Systems on-going and long-standing commitment to American troops and the MRAP program. As a subcontractor, BAE Systems will be working directly with Plasan which is providing M-ATV armoring kits to the Oshkosh Corporation to fulfill its contract with the U.S. Army TACOM LCMC.

Cobham Aviation Services Australia has bought three BAe 146QT (Quiet Trader)) freighters from BAE Systems plc to service a renewed AUD 100 million air freight contract awarded by Australian air Express. The three BAe 146QTs have been leased from BAE Systems since the early 1990s and Cobham has been providing aircrew and maintenance support for the aircraft to Australian air Express (AaE) under a series of contracts over the years. The aircraft carry 20,000 tonnes of freight every year on high-capacity, high-priority overnight services linking Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. The renewal of the freighter contract between Cobham and AaE takes the 17-year relationship into its third decade. As well as providing significant and cost-effective freight capacity, the BAe 146QTs have a low noise profile which allows Cobham to operate scheduled services during curfew hours, ensuring that critical overnight mail and freight is delivered on time.