The AGR-20 APKWS II was extensively utilized in fight by Strike Eagles within the Center East, however these are the primary images to really present an F-15E firing the laser-guided rockets throughout checks carried out in Could 2025.
U.S. Air Pressure F-16s deployed to the CENTCOM (Central Command) AOR (Space of Accountability) have been using the APKWS (Superior Precision Kill Weapon System) II within the air-to-air position in opposition to Houthi projectiles over the Pink Sea since 2024. The laser-guided APKWS II was an answer to the price drawback entailed through the use of the bigger AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM, costing thousands and thousands of {dollars}, in opposition to easy one-way assault drones, price not more than $15,000.
Integration of the APKWS II onto the F-15E started in Could 2025, when pictures surfaced on-line exhibiting Strike Eagles from Eglin Air Pressure Base, Florida, flying in a wide range of configurations with LAU-131 rocket launchers.
As defined on the time, with six LAU-131 launchers the F-15E can carry 42 laser-guided rockets along with its customary loadout of eight air-to-air missiles, a payload that offers the jet as much as 50 alternatives to have interaction aerial targets even earlier than contemplating the gun, considerably rising its firepower and suppleness in fight.
The F-15E had been concerned in defending Israel in opposition to Iran’s drone assaults in April 2024, when the restricted variety of obtainable air-to-air missiles proved to be a key constraint in countering the waves of hostile drones. An F-15E loaded with massive numbers of air-to-air rockets would have enabled longer and more practical counter-drone sorties and that is the explanation why the combination was not sudden.
The work was efficiently accomplished, and the anti-drone configuration was employed extensively in fight by the F-15E Strike Eagles of the 366th Fighter Wing, as proven by the bomb markings carried by the jets returning to their house bases from deployment within the Center East in July.
Solely just lately, nevertheless, did the Air Pressure launch further particulars in regards to the integration effort, together with pictures exhibiting the F-15E throughout live-fire occasions carried out by the 96th Check Wing and 53rd Wing at Eglin AFB.
The highway to fielding the AGR-20F
The combination and demonstration marketing campaign, which included live-fire occasions in opposition to land and maritime targets, was a part of an expedited push to present the warfighter a right away new software for the counter-UAS struggle, the U.S. Air Pressure stated.
Simply days after the ultimate take a look at sorties at Eglin, Strike Eagles have been already flying operational missions with the AGR-20F.
“This was our prime precedence,” Brig. Gen. Mark Massaro, 96th TW commander, stated. “The success got here from built-in teamwork, out-of-the-box pondering, and the flexibility to ship the potential in file time.”
The hassle started with a nine-month timeline however shortly ran right into a materiel roadblock: no present technique to mount the AGR-20F on an F-15. AFSEO engineers, with the 53rd Check and Analysis Group, finally turned to legacy {hardware}, particularly Seventies-era TER-9A racks and LAU-131 launchers that had been slated for storage in Arizona. Engineers and maintainers modified and mounted the racks, then created a brand new interface to allow the Strike Eagle’s avionics to speak with the rockets.
To satisfy pressing operational demand, airworthiness assessments and demonstration flights ran in parallel. Massaro made the AGR-20F the bottom’s primary precedence, clearing the schedule for speedy testing. Inside three days of the order, F-15Es flown by the fortieth Flight Check Squadron and eighty fifth and 422nd TES launched the weapon.
The built-in developmental and operational take a look at effort was managed by the F-15 Operational Flight Program Mixed Check Pressure, which synchronized wings, main instructions, and program workplaces to maintain the method shifting. Assist items throughout the bottom accelerated logistics, vary entry, fueling, and mission planning to maintain the surge.
Inside 9 days, the workforce accomplished a course of that usually takes greater than a yr. Airmen then deployed with the tools to the AOR, coaching crews on employment and sustainment of the brand new weapon.
Lt. Col. Jeffrey Entine, OFP CTF commander, summarized the hassle: “Our potential to choreograph a number of high-risk take a look at occasions and ship an entire product to the warfighter in 9 days as an alternative of 18 months exhibits what Workforce Eglin can do when tasked.”
Coping with the APKWS right here’s what we wrote in a earlier story right here at The Aviationist:
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Initially designed as a low-cost, laser-guided precision munition for air-to-ground targets, APKWS II was first examined for air-to-air use in 2019. It provides an inexpensive possibility for partaking slow-moving aerial threats reminiscent of drones and cruise missiles. Throughout latest operations, F-16s have sometimes labored in pairs: one plane designated the goal utilizing the Sniper Superior Concentrating on Pod, whereas the opposite executed the assault run with the rockets.
In comparison with conventional air-to-air missile loadouts, the APKWS configuration allowed the F-16 to extend its engagement capability considerably. Whereas a normal load of AIM-9X and AIM-120 missiles provides six photographs, carrying one or two rocket pods with APKWS enabled the Viper to triple that quantity. This was achieved at a fraction of the price as every APKWS rocket is estimated at round 30,000 USD, whereas an AIM-9X prices roughly 450,000 USD and an AIM-120 exceeds 1 million USD per unit. The tradeoff, nevertheless, is that APKWS rockets are solely efficient in opposition to predictable targets with restricted maneuverability.
The loadout just lately examined on the F-15E takes the idea even additional. With six LAU-131 pods put in, the Strike Eagle can carry as much as 42 APKWS rockets along with its customary complement of eight air-to-air missiles. This offers the plane as much as 50 engagement alternatives earlier than even accounting for the interior gun. The structure additionally supplies higher operational flexibility: the Weapons Techniques Officer within the again seat can laser-designate targets utilizing the Sniper ATP whereas the pilot concentrates on the engagement, eliminating the necessity for paired operations like these carried out with the F-16.
The combination of APKWS II on the Strike Eagle seems to be a logical evolution. Through the April 2024 Iranian drone assault in opposition to Israel, F-15Es have been among the many plane tasked with intercepting the wave of incoming drones. One of many limiting components throughout that operation was the restricted variety of air-to-air missiles obtainable to every jet. An F-15E outfitted with a high-capacity rocket loadout would considerably prolong the period and effectiveness of counter-UAS sorties.
APKWS II has already been fielded throughout a number of U.S. platforms, together with the USMC’s AV-8B Harrier and F/A-18C/D Hornets, AH-1Z Vipers and UH-1Y Venoms, the USAF’s A-10Cs and F-16s, the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R/S helicopters, and the U.S. Military’s AH-64D/E Apaches.
The APKWS II relies on the Hydra 70 unguided rocket and incorporates a laser steering equipment between the warhead and the rocket motor. This low-cost modification transforms a easy unguided munition right into a precision weapon. The system makes use of 4 pop-out wings with laser-seeker optics, referred to as the Distributed Aperture Semi-Lively Laser Seeker (DASALS), which offer extensive field-of-view monitoring for each stationary and shifting targets.
To additional improve its counter-UAS capabilities, the APKWS underwent an improve below the Mounted Wing, Air Launched, Counter-Unmanned Plane Techniques Ordnance (FALCO) program. The AGR-20 FALCO model contains up to date software program that improves its efficiency in air-to-air roles. This variant is already in use inside the CENTCOM space of duty and has demonstrated a excessive likelihood of kill in operational eventualities.
As well as, BAE Techniques has revealed a brand new infrared seeker for the APKWS II, complementing the laser steering and making the rocket a dual-mode weapon. This enhancement builds upon the FALCO improve and is predicted to additional enhance the Air Pressure’s potential to counter a variety of aerial threats.
