A newly released video by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has revealed a significant tactical shift in the fight against Houthi drone attacks. American fighter jets are now using AGR-20 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) rockets to destroy enemy drones, replacing the expensive air-to-air missiles traditionally used. This cost-effective approach highlights the evolving nature of aerial warfare in the Red Sea.
The footage, released on March 19, demonstrates U.S. fighter jets employing APKWS rockets—a more affordable alternative to high-priced missiles. The AGR-20, also known as the FALCO APKWS, consists of Hydra 70 2.75-inch rockets that were originally unguided but have been modified with laser guidance kits for precision strikes. Compact in size, these rockets are just under 3 inches in diameter and approximately 19 inches in length.
CENTCOM has not disclosed the exact location or date of the engagement or the specific aircraft used, though earlier reports indicate that U.S. Air Force F-16s have deployed these rockets in air-to-air combat against Houthi drones. The transition from costly AIM-9 Sidewinders (priced at $500,000 per unit) and AIM-120 AMRAAMs (exceeding $1 million each) to the significantly cheaper APKWS rockets represents a pragmatic response to the financial strain posed by ongoing Houthi drone attacks.
Since October 2023, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have launched hundreds of drone and missile attacks targeting both commercial vessels and U.S. naval forces operating in the Red Sea. The ongoing campaign has necessitated a multinational response, leading to the formation of Operation Prosperity Guardian—a coalition effort to safeguard maritime security and counter Houthi aggression.
U.S. warships have intercepted a substantial number of Houthi drones and missiles using advanced onboard defense systems, such as the Aegis Combat System and SM-2 missiles. In addition to defensive measures, U.S. forces have carried out retaliatory strikes against Houthi-controlled launch sites, missile storage facilities, and command-and-control centers inside Yemen. Despite these actions, the overwhelming number of attacks has stretched U.S. defenses and raised concerns over the financial sustainability of continued high-cost missile interceptions.
The Houthis’ drone tactics align with Iran’s broader regional strategy, which relies on low-cost, high-volume attacks to financially and strategically strain its adversaries. Iranian-backed militant groups across the Middle East have increasingly turned to drones as an asymmetric weapon, leveraging cost disparities in military engagements.
Houthi drones, costing between $20,000 and $40,000 each, force the U.S. to expend significantly more expensive interceptor missiles. This mirrors Iran’s broader approach, as seen in its recent Operation True Promise against Israel, where low-cost Shahed-136 drones (priced at $20,000) provoked Israel into deploying multimillion-dollar Arrow missiles for defense.
Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro recently disclosed that the U.S. has already spent over $1 billion countering Houthi drone attacks. The prolonged nature of these engagements underscores the need for cost-efficient alternatives like the APKWS rockets.
APKWS has been in development for air-to-air engagements since 2022, with integration into F-16 fighter jets and other platforms. While not a perfect solution, the system offers a more economically viable response to Houthi drone threats. Business Insider’s Jake Epstein noted that the cost of APKWS rockets is more closely aligned with the price of Houthi drones, making them a financially sustainable countermeasure. However, the sheer volume of Houthi drone attacks remains a challenge.
In response to escalating Houthi aggression, the U.S. military has ramped up airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. According to Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the latest campaign, which began on March 16, has involved strikes on over 30 Houthi targets, including training sites, drone infrastructure, weapons storage facilities, and command centers.
CENTCOM has released footage of these operations, showing aircraft launching from the USS Harry S. Truman to carry out precision strikes. Additionally, U.S. warships have launched missile strikes as part of broader efforts to degrade Houthi military capabilities.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in on the ongoing conflict, stating on Truth Social: “Tremendous damage has been inflicted upon the Houthi barbarians, and watch how it will get progressively worse. It’s not even a fair fight and never will be. They will be annihilated!”
While the U.S. possesses overwhelming military superiority, the financial burden of countering drone warfare remains a key concern. Iran and its allies have adopted attritional strategies, forcing the U.S. and its partners into costly, drawn-out conflicts. This tactic aims to drain U.S. resources while allowing Iran-backed groups to sustain persistent attacks at a fraction of the cost.
On March 16, U.S. forces conducted airstrikes on the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, and other Houthi-controlled areas. Reports indicate that these strikes caused casualties, including civilians. The U.S. has defended the actions as necessary to deter further Houthi aggression and protect regional stability and freedom of navigation.
Further escalating tensions, on March 20, the Houthis launched a Palestine-2 ballistic missile at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport. This attack underscores the group’s broader regional ambitions and the growing interconnectedness of Middle Eastern conflicts.
The Red Sea conflict has become a critical test of endurance for the U.S. military. While superior in technology and firepower, the economic reality of asymmetric warfare necessitates continuous adaptation. The adoption of APKWS rockets for air-to-air engagements is a clear sign that the U.S. is adjusting its tactics to mitigate the financial toll of countering low-cost threats.
