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General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems

Hydra 70

US 70mm (2.75in) unguided air-to-surface rocket family used by fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, also base for the APKWS laser-guided variant.

Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-05

Procurement snapshot

Availability & export

US ITAR-controlled

Export needs U.S. State Dept (DDTC) approval; end-use & re-transfer restrictions apply.

Channel: Foreign Military Sales (FMS) or Direct Commercial Sale

Fielded & proven

Operator data not public

Status: active.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →

Interoperability

No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.

Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.

Full specifications

Performance

Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.

Performance specifications
Max speed

Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance.

2,661 km/h
Range

Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence.

11 km

Firepower

Armament, payload and guidance.

Firepower specifications
Guidance

How the weapon finds its target: inertial, GPS/GLONASS, active/semi-active radar, infrared, laser, TV, wire.

unguided

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Physical specifications
Length

Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.

1.06 m

Munition

Round type, penetration, velocity and projectile data.

Munition specifications
Round type

APFSDS (kinetic sabot), HEAT / multipurpose, HE-FRAG, canister or gun-launched ATGM.

rocket
Projectile mass

Mass of the projectile or penetrator assembly.

11.3 kg
Effective range

Practical engagement range of the round.

8,000 m
Stronger than 34% of munitions

Specifications compiled from public General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-05.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the top speed of the General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Hydra 70? +

The General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Hydra 70 has a maximum speed of 2,661 km/h.

What is the range of the General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Hydra 70? +

The General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Hydra 70 has a maximum range of 11 km.

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