U.S. Air Forces in Europe is using one of its premier F-16 squadrons to develop and practice new tactics and weapons to counter drones. The exercise stems from the service’s experience in the Middle East, fighting off Iranian and Houthi attacks.
U.S. Air Force fighters have been using laser-guided rockets to down Houthi drones that are attacking ships in the Red Sea as the U.S. military seeks to drive down the cost of defeating cheap uncrewed systems, U.S. officials said.
An Air Force F-16 recently shot down a targeting drone with an AGR-20A Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System rocket queued by the Viper’s targeting pod for the first time in a demonstration of future cruise missile defense.