U.S. Navy MH-60s, Air Force F-16s Will Soon Fly With New C-UAS Missiles - Naval News
AI Analysis
The U.S. Navy and Air Force are set to integrate a new infrared-guided variant of BAE Systems' Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) onto MH-60 helicopters and F-16 fighters to address the growing threat of drone swarms in the Middle East. This rapid prototyping effort is in response to urgent operational needs identified by U.S. Central Command.
Key Takeaways
- BAE Systems' APKWS variant is being rapidly prototyped for counter-UAS missions.
- The new missile targets Group 3 UAS threats, especially in the Middle East.
- Integration on U.S. Navy MH-60s and Air Force F-16s is planned.
- The initiative responds to a Joint Urgent Operational Need from August 2024.
- The effort aims to mitigate vulnerabilities against drone swarms from adversaries like Iran.
Why It Matters
This development addresses a critical vulnerability faced by U.S. forces in the Middle East, where drone swarms pose a significant threat. By rapidly fielding these missiles, the U.S. aims to enhance its defensive capabilities and maintain operational superiority in a region with evolving adversary tactics.
U.S. Navy MH-60s, Air Force F-16s Will Soon Fly With New C-UAS Missiles - Naval News
U.S. Navy MH-60s, Air Force F-16s Will Soon Fly With New C-UAS Missiles
- In News
- By Carter Johnston
- Published on 16/02/2026
- [About Us]
Artist impression: A U.S. Navy MH-60S maritime helicopters engages a fast moving surface target with an APKWS. BAE Systems image.
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Derivatives of the AGR-20F FALCO air-to-air missile are being rapidly prototyped to fulfill the urgent low-cost engagement requirement for one-way attack drone swarms numbered in the hundreds.
A joint urgent requirement identified in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility has greenlit BAE Systems’ new infrared-guided Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) variant for rapid prototyping and production for initial fielding no later than this fall, according to documents published by the U.S. Air Force this week.
The documents identify the Group 3 UAS threat—particularly in the Middle East—as severe without significant enhancements to the current counter-UAS network. Without a rapidly fielded air-to-air solution, U.S. forces on the ground and at sea would face a “critical vulnerability” in the region, according to the published documents.
The missiles are planned to be integrated on the U.S. Air Force’s F-16 fleet and the U.S. Navy’s MH-60 fleet with a requirement to achieve an initial fielding capability within 24 months of the original August 2024 JUON statement.
The Joint Urgent Operational Need (JUON), designated CC-0588, was issued in August 2024 by U.S. Central Command in response to “evolving adversary threats” U.S. forces face against drones in the Middle East, particularly threats from Iran and its proxy groups as seen in the April 2024 drone attacks on Israel that resulted in the largest counter-UAS engagement in history at the time.
A 96th Test Wing F-15E Strike Eagle flies during a test mission May 22, 2025 over Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The 96 TW and the 53rd Wing teamed up to test AGR-20F Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II laser-guided rockets on the F-15E in May in an effort to get the capability to the warfighter as quickly as possible. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Barley)
The April 2024 record was later surpassed in June 2025 with U.S. forces across thousands of square miles engaging 1,200 one-way attack drones over the span of two weeks. During the June 2025 war, U.S. fighters expended hundreds of air-to-air missiles engaging inbound drones, and in some cases engaged drones with gun systems. Support from orbiting U.S. Space Force assets assisted in disrupting drone flights as well.
The new missile effort, designed to mitigate the cost-capability and payload curves, centers on an “Air-to-Air Dual Mode” variant of the AGR-20F FALCO rocket, a version of BAE Systems’ APKWS rocket [that has already seen operational use as a counter-UAS missile]. The upgraded configuration adds a nose-mounted long-wave infrared