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Laser Guided Rockets

Latest in Laser Guided Rockets

The MQ-9 Reaper has become the latest platform to test-fire the laser-guided 70mm Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) rocket. The trials, conducted with the U.S. Air Force, involved the MQ-9 employing the APKWS in its original air-to-ground capacity, as well as against aerial targets.
Laser Guided Rockets

MQ-9 Reaper Fires Laser-Guided Rockets In Tests

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on May 11, 2026

General Atomics is calling attention to a new mission for its Mojave short takeoff and landing (STOL) drone: hunting uncrewed aerial threats with laser-guided Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) rockets.
Laser Guided Rockets

Hunting Drones From Sloppy Airstrips Is General Atomics’ Future Vision For Mojave

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 15, 2026

BAE has test fired APKWS rockets from an RAF Typhoon for the first time.
Laser Guided Rockets

Eurofighter Typhoon Test Fires Laser-Guided Counter-Drone Rockets

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 8, 2026

U.S. Marine Corps legacy F/A-18C/D Hornets are in line to add air-to-air optimized versions of the 70mm Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) rocket to their arsenal.
Laser Guided Rockets

USMC’s Old F/A-18 Hornets To Get Drone Swatting Laser Guided Rockets

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 13, 2026

A10s provide CAS for LCS in Arabian Sea.
Laser Guided Rockets

A-10 Warthog Protects Mine-Hunting Littoral Combat Ship In Persian Gulf Drill

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Feb 9, 2026

APKWS are now flying on Ukraine's F-16s.
Laser Guided Rockets

Ukrainian F-16s Appear To Be Armed With Laser-Guided Rockets In New Photos

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Dec 5, 2025

Current and future operators of A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft could use them to shoot down incoming drones, according to manufacturer Embraer.
Laser Guided Rockets

A-29 Super Tucano Light Attack Aircraft Being Pitched As Drone Hunter

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 12, 2025

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II flies a presence patrol over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 26, 2025. The U.S. Air Force is globally postured to protect and defend the freedom of coalition allies and regional partners within the CENTCOM AOR to maintain peace and stability.
Laser Guided Rockets

A-10 Warthog Appears To Have Become A Drone Killer

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 13, 2025

VAMPIRE Live Fire 2025
Laser Guided Rockets

Entire Family Of VAMPIRE Counter-Drone Systems Unveiled

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 9, 2025

An employee holds a miniature of a 70mm rocket during a visit to the Thales production site in Herstal, on October, 3 2025. The company has also inaugurated a new ammunition production line at this site. Production has increased fivefold in recent years to meet the needs of the armed forces. (Photo by VIRGINIE LEFOUR / Belga / AFP) / Belgium OUT (Photo by VIRGINIE LEFOUR/Belga/AFP via Getty Images)
Laser Guided Rockets

Thales Anti-Drone Rockets Now Being Used In Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 7, 2025

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon receives fuel from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 25, 2025. Aerial refueling allows Fighting Falcons to extend their mission and guarantee war-winning airpower throughout the CENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natalie Jones)
Laser Guided Rockets

Laser-Guided Rockets Now Primary Anti-Drone Weapon For USAF Jets In Middle East

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Sep 25, 2025

U.S. military aircraft employed GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB) and laser-guided 70mm Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) rockets as part of the operation to strike Iranian nuclear facilities earlier this year.
Laser Guided Rockets

Pentagon Moves To Replace Weapons It Used In Operation Midnight Hammer

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Sep 17, 2025

An Italian Air Force F-2000 Eurofighter Typhoon flies a routine presence patrol mission over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 6, 2025. Close collaboration with partner nations improves interoperability, ensuring rapid crisis response and sustained operations to protect vital mutual interests in the AOR.
Laser Guided Rockets

Drone-Killing APKWS Laser-Guided Rockets Eyed For Eurofighter Typhoon

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 12, 2025

We now have our first look at a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike actually firing air-to-air optimized variants of the laser-guided 70mm Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) rocket.
Laser Guided Rockets

F-15E Strike Eagle Fires Drone Killing Laser-Guided Rockets In New Images

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 4, 2025

The U.S. Army has opened the door to potentially acquiring new types of 70mm rockets that are similar, but different from the Hydra-70 family it employs today.
Laser Guided Rockets

Army Open To 70mm Rocket Alternatives To Shore-Up Stockpile

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 19, 2025

A-10 firing rockets
Laser Guided Rockets

A-10 Warthog Already Has The Capability To Use Laser-Guided Rockets To Shoot-Down Drones

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jul 1, 2025