The APKWS II Dual Mode adds with both IR and Laser Lavorance Anti -UAS Anti -UAS capacity for the fighter plane charged with stopping drone attacks efficiently and affordable.
BAE systems unveil New APK APK (advanced accuracy set) of Hydra 70 mm missiles as part of APKWS II (advanced micro -weapons system II) at the Sea Air Space 2025 in Maryland. The new group consists of an IR student (infrared) as well as current laser instructions, making this a double weapon.
Adding the infrared student would spare the pilots the need for continuous fairness of air targets such as the cheap Kamikase drones used by the Houthis, allowing them to quickly move to other threats. To date, the laser -oriented alternative has been used in this role thanks to specific promotions.
As stated here in Flying In February 2025, the US Air Force deployed in Centcom (Central Command) AOR (the field of responsibility) was deployed APKWS II In the air floor to the air against the Houthi projectiles on the Red Sea since 2024. APKWS II has been a laser-oriented APKWS APKWS Laser a solution to the cost defects that the AIM-9 was larger than $ 9 and AIM-120 AMRAAM, as it cost millions of dollars, against simple drones in one direction, not exceeding 15,000 dollars.
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We met us. We create. We appear strong. As a reliable anchor of the marine industrial base, we are committed to be a respondent and adaptive partner for the American Navy and our allies. #SAS2025 pic.twitter.com/ynduqznzfa
– BaE Systems, Inc. (BaESYSTEMSINC) April 10, 2025
APKWS II, AGR-20, is made up by the US Department of Defense, from A. Hydra 70 mm unveiled missile With the addition of a laser steering section between a highly used warhead 10 lb in the front and the MK66 MD 4 missile engine in the back. Squirt and evaluation of the US Air Force 85 (TES) first It was tested APKWS II in the air floor to the air on December 19, 2019, a sub-drone was shot down in evidence of the demonstration demonstration that witnessed the F-16 launching the missile and directing it to the target with the targeting pod.
The weapons system underwent a fixed wing, which was launched Air, and the FALCO anti -aircraft upgrade program aimed at improving the capabilities of UAS. Bae Systems says that APK is now the next stage in the development of the missile system.
The Generation APK Generation APK, an infrared student, adds to the missile nose to the possibility of a dual mode student.
Bae Systems has delivered the Falco Program to upgrade as part of the operating requirements needed to increase the girl in the air connections to the air.https://t.co/hjcdrdzhf pic.twitter.com/h9sfspqqom– π―π’ππ‘ π―π¦π°π±π―π¦π π±β³ π¬πͺπΊπ¦πΊπ²π¬π· (Thedeaddistric) April 9, 2025
First amendment to APKWS
The BAE laser instruction system with APKWS consists of the mid -body guidance unit, which includes the optics of the semi -active distributed aperture (DASALS) in all four foldable guidance wings. This has a wide range of display to involve moving and fixed targets in open areas.
Bae Systems explains that the system does not require any adjustments to the missile, shooting platform or fire control system. In fact, APKWS only needs a longer variable of Lau-131/A missile pods of seven rounds, called Lau-131 A/A (Use AGR-20 naval with similar lau-F/A/A similar).


AGR-20 FALCO is an upgrade on APKWS II, which includes software promotions to increase weapons in air links to the air against UAS. This variable is currently sent at Centcom AOR, and according to Maritime newsIt is used with a high probability of killing.
Falco was a response to the emerging operational need, and after its publication smoothly, it enabled a great improvement in the US Air Force’s counter capabilities. The new IR student from APK depends on these new capabilities, which improves the C-RAS service capabilities.
APKWS II is also used in the unique C-Uas role against low-flying and cheap drone. Among the platforms in this role are the EAGLS system (the system of advanced electronic land bomber), which was published by the American army in the Middle East and the blood helicopters (ISR normative auto missile equipment), provided by the United States to Ukraine To confront Russian aircraft. It is not clear whether these systems will use the new researcher.


How does the new researcher help?
The short range of the short heads of the APKWS II heads is not a defect if the drones are slow -moving, as the dimensions of the targets mean that they need to participate in shorter ranges and require the destruction of smaller warheads. The seven -round pods also allow the depth of a deeper magazine when involving persistent swarms or waves of these attacks.
The F-16s was in Centcom AOR flying with up to two centuries of Lau-131 A/A/A/A/A/A/A/A/A/A/A/A/A/A/A/A/A/A/A/A/A/A. Air planes are used on board the plane or snipers targeting POD for the target, but require the pilot to stick to a goal until the guided missile collides.
American fighter drones dropped the unilateral attack from Iran-backed by the AGR-20 Falco Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) Laser 2.75 β³ Rockets.#Houthisareterbists pic.twitter.com/bdovnkwotc
– Central Central Command (Centcom) March 19, 2025
The process of a long time and boring process risk allowing other goals to pass, instead of quickly involving several goals. The new infrared student removes the need for continuous lighting on the target. Maritime news It quoted the Director of Business Development in the Deficient Guidance and sensor solutions at the Bae Systems Dave SMILEK, who said that the pilot can now appoint Laser a goal, launch the missile, and move to the next goal without maintaining the target on this individual threat. The missile is transferred to the infrared student who guides it to the target after its launch, and the second station is dropped from the laser appointment from the episode.
“The next generation of APKWS is the double mode. The applicant for infrared and laser is with a medium body warhead. Double mode gives the ability to increase the fire rate without maintaining the appointment on the target. [with IR]. “Lase, Fire, Target Target, Lase Fire”.
USAF has since confirmed the publication of APKWS- Under the Naming AGR-20 FALCO-to intercept drones and similar-somewhat slow, undesirable, bad/non-counterfeit-in the Red Sea. pic.twitter.com/w8th4IHLJs
– Shahraar Basantida April 9, 2025
conclusion
The Houthis are not drones, anti -ship and ballistic missiles Unprecedented In modern war. It is the largest naval battle since World War II, where American warships and aircraft tankers were launched the first time, and the unexpected times and intensity also led to reports of fatigue and tension.
While APKWS treats asymmetry in the cost and complexity involved in attacks and defense, launch platforms are still larger capital weapons such as F-16S cost tens of millions of dollars. This is only somewhat sustainable, but it has already improved.
Large manufacturing force such as China can carry out an asymmetric and traditional projectile attack from both land, air and sea, with a higher severity of the Houthi attacks. This explains how the US military still has a long way to prepare for a traditional war with a peer opponent, although the work is moving in the right direction to fill the gaps.