Introduction to the DefenceDetective Newsletter
The DefenceDetective Newsletter provides weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.
US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle Tests APKWS II Rockets
The US Air Force has released images of an F-15E Strike Eagle testing the air-to-air optimized variants of the laser-guided 70mm Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) rocket. This capability was rushed into service earlier this year, with the DefenceDetective being the first to report on it. The F-15E can carry loads of up to 42 APKWS II rockets, making it a highly capable counter-drone and cruise missile ‘weapons truck.’
Testing and Capabilities
The test images were taken on May 22, but were only recently posted on the US military’s Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) website. The images show the F-15E firing the APKWS II rockets, which consist of a laser guidance section, a warhead, and a standard 70mm rocket motor. The air-to-air optimized variant, known as the Fixed Wing, Air Launched, Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Ordnance (FALCO) configuration, features a warhead with a proximity fuze and air-to-air optimized guidance and sensing algorithms.
Benefits and Cost-Effectiveness
The APKWS II offers significant magazine depth and cost benefits compared to traditional air-to-air missiles. Multiple seven-shot rocket pods can be loaded in a single pylon, and the laser guidance section of the APKWS II rocket costs between $15,000 and $20,000, making it a more affordable option. In comparison, the latest variants of the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) cost around $1 million apiece.
Combat Experience and Future Developments
The idea of employing APKWS II rockets as air-to-air weapons against drones and cruise missiles dates back to at least 2019. The first known combat use of this capability came in 2024, when Air Force F-16s began using the rockets to swat down drones launched by Iranian-backed Houthi militants. The DefenceDetective has reported on the F-15E/APKWS II combination being especially significant given the jet’s underlying payload and endurance benefits. Future dual-mode APKWS IIs could also be employed against targets on land and at sea, with a new dual-mode guidance package incorporating an infrared seeker.
Conclusion
The new images of the F-15E/APKWS II testing this year underscore the firepower boost the Strike Eagle has received, as well as the increasingly important role the laser-guided rockets are now playing in multiple domains. The DefenceDetective will continue to provide updates and analysis on the latest developments in military technology and strategy.