Belgium Shows Testing of F-16 with FZ275 Laser-Guided Rockets in C-UAS Trial - The Aviationist
AI Analysis
The Belgian Air Force is actively testing the Thales Belgium FZ275 laser-guided 70mm rocket from its F-16 fleet in a Counter-UAS role, demonstrating a potential low-cost, effective solution against drone threats. Trials involved live-fire engagements against target drones off the coast of Lomardsijde, utilizing inert warheads. Testing is also being conducted concurrently with BAE Systems’ AGR-20F FALCO system.
Key Takeaways
- Belgium is employing F-16s with LAU-131A/A pods carrying FZ275 LGRs for C-UAS operations.
- The FZ275 is being positioned as an 'affordable' C-UAS solution.
- Tests are occurring in a joint environment with the Belgian Land Component, Navy, and Thales Belgium.
- F-16s can be configured to carry up to 42 of the 70mm rockets (six LAU-131A/A pods).
- The AGR-20F FALCO is also under evaluation for the same C-UAS role, suggesting a comparative assessment.
Why It Matters
This development indicates a shift towards utilizing existing platforms and readily available munitions for C-UAS, rather than relying solely on dedicated, high-cost systems. The FZ275’s potential affordability could encourage wider adoption by other air forces facing growing drone threats. The concurrent testing of both FZ275 and AGR-20F suggests Belgium is actively seeking the optimal C-UAS solution for its needs.
Belgium Shows Testing of F-16 with FZ275 Laser-Guided Rockets in C-UAS Trial - The Aviationist
Screenshot of the video released by Belgian Defence showing a Thales FZ275 LGR leaving an LAU-131A/A rocket pod during the counter-drone test. (Image credit: Belgian Defence)
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Following the Belgian Air Force’s announcement in March about the testing of Thales Belgium’s laser guided rockets from its F-16s, footage now shows the trials in the Counter-UAS role.
Weeks after the Belgian Air Force confirmed the ongoing integration of the FZ275 Laser-Guided Rockets on its F-16s for the Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) role, the service released on Apr. 30 footage of the tests, showing the Fighting Falcons using the rockets to swat down target drones.
While it is not known when the tests took place, Belgian Defence identified the location as Lomardsijde, off the southern part of the North Sea in the country’s northwest, and specified that the rockets used were inert. Belgian Defence said on X: “The Air Force tested at Lombardsijde a capability against medium-sized drones. In collaboration with the Land Component, the Navy, and Thales Belgium: FZ275 70 mm rockets without warhead on F-16, an effective and affordable solution against the UAS threat.”
La Force aérienne a testé à Lombardsijde une capacité contre des drones de taille moyens. En collaboration avec la Force terrestre, la Marine et Thales Belgium : des roquettes FZ275 70 mm sans charge sur#F16, solution efficace et abordable contre la menace UAS pic.twitter.com/IQcKSHANmU
— Belgian Defence (@BelgiumDefence) April 30, 2026
The Belgian Air Force operates 43-44 F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcons. It is also an F-35A Lightning II customer, with a total order of 34 aircraft, and has planned to acquire 11 more. Eleven F-35s have so far been delivered, with eight stationed at Luke AFB, Arizona, for the training of new F-35 pilots.
The test
The video released by the BAF shows one of the F-16s being used in the trial, armed with at least two seven-shot LAU-131A/A pods on the port (left-side) wing. Two different shots of that wing shows each of the pods carrying only one Thales Belgium 2.75 inch/70 mm FZ275 LGR in different tubes, suggesting the video shows multiple sorties of the test campaign.
Infrared footage showing the target drone being hit by the FZ275 LGR fired from the Belgian Air Force F-16. (Image Credit: Belgian Defence)
Footage from the cockpit then shows a rocket leaving one of the pods and striking an unidentified drone, as seen in the targeting pod’s infrared footage.
In the testing reported by Belgium’s Directorate General of Material Resources (DGMR) on Mar. 11, 2026, the F-16 captured at Kleine Brogel Air Base was carrying six LAU-131A/A pods, which give the aircraft a 42-round capacity. The Directorate at the time also said that the FZ275 was being tested alongside BAE Systems’ AGR-20F FALCO(Fixed Wing, Air Launched, Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Ordnance) for the C