The US Air Force (USAF) has quickly upgraded its F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft with the addition of the AGR-20F Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II), a low-cost guided rocket designed specifically for counter-drone operations. This enhancement enables the Strike Eagle to carry up to 42 of these precision rockets alongside traditional air-to-air missiles, significantly augmenting its combat capabilities and positioning it as a more formidable force parallel to the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Facilitated by the Air Force Seek Eagle Office and test units based at Eglin Air Force Base, the integration of APKWS II was completed in an impressive timeframe of just nine months—an ambitious target considering that similar projects typically require around 18 months. Drawing from experiences gained during a comparable integration effort with the F-16 earlier this year, the team managed to condense the entire process into a mere nine days.
Brig. Gen. Mark Massaro, commander of the 96th Test Wing, emphasized the urgency and importance of this mission: “We made it a top priority to field this new capability as quickly and safely as possible. The Team Eglin testing complex put together a tremendous effort of discovery and out-of-the-box thinking to make this happen.”
The developmental and operational flight testing of the APKWS II on the F-15E commenced in May, although details and photographs of the aircraft employing the new weaponry were only made public recently.
The selection of the F-15E for this advanced integration was made due to its substantial payload capacity and versatility, along with its proven performance in drone engagements during its extensive operations in the Middle East. The APKWS II is powered by the Mk66 Mod 4 rocket motor and is equipped with a 10-pound high-explosive warhead, providing an effective countermeasure against inexpensive enemy drones.
Each APKWS II rocket is estimated to cost between $22,000 and $35,000, presenting a cost-effective solution compared to more expensive air-to-air missiles like the AIM-9X or AIM-120, which can run into the millions of dollars each.
During the integration phase, engineers and maintainers confronted the challenge of adapting older rocket mounts for the F-15E, repurposing 1970s-era Triple Ejector Rack-9As and LAU-131 launchers to accommodate the new weapons system. This effort also included the development of a new communication system to link the munitions with the aircraft.
The modified F-15E, equipped with the newly integrated APKWS II, underwent concurrent testing and demonstration to address immediate operational requirements. Lt. Col. Jeffrey Entine, commander of the Operational Flight Program Combined Test Force, highlighted the achievement: “Our ability to choreograph multiple high-risk test events culminating in providing a complete product to the warfighter in nine days instead of 18 months is the hallmark of what Team Eglin can do when asked.”
