The United States Air Force has adopted the 70mm laser-guided APKWS II rockets as its primary air-to-air ammunition to counter drone swarms in the Middle East.
Originally used by the F-16 Viper in the air defense role, these rockets have already been integrated into the F-15E Strike Eagle and the A-10 Warthog, thanks to an optimized variant (AGR-20F / FALCO) incorporating proximity fuses and adjustments in the guidance algorithms. The USAF’s Central Command (AFCENT) describes “several dozen” kills attributed to the system, highlighting its operational effectiveness.
In addition to their efficiency, the adoption is driven by cost and “loading depth”: the guidance section of the APKWS II costs tens of thousands of dollars, far below that of conventional air-to-air missiles, which can reach hundreds of thousands or even millions each, and can be launched from seven-shot pods; for example, the F-15E can carry up to 42 units on just two stations, leaving space for additional missiles. Interest increased after episodes where U.S. aircraft ran out of missiles while chasing drone swarms (a notable case on April 13-14, 2024), when improvised attempts with LJDAM bombs demonstrated the limitations of air-to-surface weapons against airborne targets.
The APKWS II has already proven its versatility: in addition to air-to-air use, it has been used as a surface-to-air weapon in Ukraine and remains useful in air-to-surface and surface-to-surface roles. A version with an infrared seeker is under development to enhance air-to-air performance, and the trend is for more platforms to receive integration—logical candidates include Navy Super Hornets and even variants of the Eurofighter through allied forces.
In summary, the APKWS II has become a more cost-effective and higher-capacity munition solution to address the growing drone threat in conflict scenarios.
Source: The War Zone | Photo: YouTube @baesystemsinc | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
🚨🇺🇸 BREAKING: The U.S. Air Force has begun arming its F-15 and F-16 fighters with APKWS II laser-guided rockets — converting 70mm rockets into precision drone-killers.
Although designed as air-to-ground, the laser guidance allows them to lock onto small, low-flying drones —… pic.twitter.com/K1TwMbtH9Q
— Defence Index (@Defence_Index) September 15, 2025
