F-15E taught to shoot down drones — APKWS II laser missiles are now in action

When a Fighter jet becomes a drone hunter

The F-15E Strike Eagle is a machine that was created to strike ground targets and fight fighter jets. But now he gets a new, unexpected role: a drone hunter. Earlier this year, the US Air Force urgently began equipping the F-15E with modified APKWS II laser-guided missiles to effectively destroy small drones and missiles in the Middle East.

It's not a whim, it's a necessity. The threat from cheap but dangerous drones has become too great.

APKWS II — not for bombing, but for precision strikes

The APKWS II is a 70mm missile originally developed for helicopters against ground targets. But now it has been upgraded: guidance systems have been added that are compatible with suspended targets in the air. Instead of carrying heavy and expensive air–to-air missiles, the F-15E can use the APKWS II to destroy drones that are not worth "firing a cannon at sparrows."

The missile is small, maneuverable, and laser—guided - it hits accurately even at a rapidly changing target. And most importantly, it's cheaper than the AIM-9 or AIM-120.

Why did the F-15E get the missiles first

The F-15E is not the first candidate for an anti—drone role. But it has key advantages: a powerful radar, the ability to carry a lot of weapons and stay in the patrol area for a long time. In addition, he is already working in hot spots, where such opportunities are needed.

The urgent implementation suggests that the Air Force is not waiting for the perfect solution, but is taking what works. The APKWS II has already been tested, is in stock, and can be quickly adapted. This is a real-time combat adaptation.

The Middle East is dictating new rules

Against the background of drone attacks on oil facilities, military bases and ships, the US Air Force realized that traditional air defense systems do not always keep up. And fighter jets flying in the air are the best shield.

Now the F-15E can not only accompany attack aircraft, but also clear the sky of threats. This is not a replacement for systems like Patriot, but an addition that is fast, accurate, and mobile.

Sources

1. Avia.pro — F-15E Strike Eagle first seen in anti-drone configuration with rocket pods
2. HighTech Plus — upgraded F-15E can destroy up to 42 UAVs per sortie
3. Topwar.ru — CENTCOM photo of F-15E armed for counter-UAV missions in the Middle East
4. Wikipedia — McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle overview
5. ProGuns.ru — F-15E receives new laser-guided APKWS II rockets
6. Kurazh.org — first APKWS rocket integration on U.S. fighters
7. Charter97.org — APKWS II combat use against drone threats

The upgraded F-15E will be able to destroy up to 42 UAVs per flight using APKWS II missiles

 The US Air Force is experimenting with new weapons for the F-15E Strike Eagle fighter-bomber, planning to equip them with inexpensive, high-precision guided missiles to combat UAVs in the future, including laser-guided APKWS II projectiles. Thus, in the future, the payload increases to 42 guided munitions. Combined with the standard arsenal of air-to-air missiles, this expands the Strike Eagle's capabilities to combat drones and low-flying cruise missiles.

The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II), also known as the AGR-20, was developed in the early 2000s to turn standard Hydra 70 unguided missiles into precision-guided weapons. Created by the BAE Systems team in collaboration with Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics, the system retained most of the rocket's parts — the engine, warhead and fuse — but added a guidance unit. Designed to improve accuracy and efficiency, the APKWS II helps reduce collateral damage and reduces logistical burden by 50% due to compatibility with the Hydra 70.

In early 2025, BAE Systems released an upgraded version of the APKWS II rocket, equipped with an infrared homing head. This addition allows the missile to capture the target's thermal signature after laser illumination, which increases its ability to hit fast or maneuverable objects, such as certain types of barrage munitions, IE reports.

The new weapons are designed for situations where traditional air-to—air missiles — each costing hundreds of thousands of dollars - may prove unsuitable or too expensive for large-scale battles.

The APKWS II is already used as an armament for many aircraft and helicopters, including the F-16, A-10, F/A-18 and Apache. The F-15E aircraft provides greater range and payload compared to the light multi-role F-16 fighters. With the APKWS II system, it turns into a multi-purpose target destruction platform capable of carrying more ammunition and staying in a combat zone for longer.

Last month, China unveiled its new sixth-generation fighter jet, the J-36, which is significantly larger and heavier than existing fifth-generation aircraft. According to Chinese media, the length of this new stealth aircraft is about 23 meters, and its weight ranges from 45 to 54 tons.

 F-15E Strike Eagle fighter-bomber