Ukraine Adapts F-16s for Counter-Drone Missions
A Ukrainian Air Force F-16 was recorded successfully shooting down a Russian aerial target using an APKWS II precision-guided rocket. The event demonstrates the battlefield adaptation of existing aircraft and munitions for modern counter-drone warfare. This integration of legacy platforms with new capabilities is a key driver of battlefield innovation.
- The APKWS II is a guidance kit that converts a standard 70mm Hydra rocket into a precision munition for approximately one-third the cost and weight of other laser-guided weapons. This creates a cost-effective counter-drone weapon, costing around $25,000-$40,000 per shot, compared to using an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile valued at over $1 million. - This tactic mirrors U.S. Air Force operations in the Middle East, where F-16s have used APKWS rockets to destroy Houthi drones. The USAF is formally developing the system for counter-drone and even counter-swarm roles, recently awarding BAE Systems a $145 million contract to mature a dual-mode laser and infrared-guided version. - The F-16s are being supplied to Ukraine by a coalition of NATO members including the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium, who have collectively pledged between 85 and 95 aircraft. Deliveries began in the summer of 2024, representing a significant upgrade to Ukraine's Soviet-era fleet. - The use of APKWS on jets requires a targeting pod, such as the Sniper XP, to provide laser designation for the rocket. The Sniper pod allows the aircraft to identify, track, and designate targets from a distance, day or night. - This adaptation of a legacy platform reflects a major push within the U.S. Department of Defense to reform its acquisition process into a "Warfighting Acquisition System." The new approach, outlined in 2025 directives, prioritizes speed, flexibility, and divesting obsolete systems to field modernized capabilities that can outpace adversaries. - The conflict has spurred rapid innovation in drone warfare on both sides, with Russia learning from early setbacks and improving its own drone and electronic warfare capabilities. In response to the central role of unmanned systems, Ukraine became the first country to establish a dedicated military branch for drone warfare in June 2024.
