A striking image has emerged of a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle equipped with an unusual and formidable loadout: at least three seven-shot 70mm rocket pods under its left wing. Assuming a mirrored configuration on the right, the aircraft would carry 42 laser-guided rockets, in addition to a standard array of eight air-to-air missiles. This test marks a dramatic evolution in counter-drone and cruise missile warfare, effectively transforming the Strike Eagle into a high-capacity aerial arsenal.
This particular Strike Eagle, identified by the “ET” tail code as belonging to the 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, represents a tangible shift in U.S. aerial warfare doctrine. It was captured in flight test configuration and prominently featured by The Merge, a military aviation podcast and newsletter.
The standout feature in the image is the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) rockets. These precision-guided munitions are modified 70mm Hydra rockets, outfitted with a laser guidance section that converts them into low-cost, highly accurate weapons. Until now, APKWS II has proven successful in combat with platforms like the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the A-10 Thunderbolt II, particularly against drones operated by Houthi rebels over the Red Sea.
Now, its integration into the F-15E marks a significant upgrade. With six pods totaling 42 rockets, the Strike Eagle gains 42 additional engagement opportunities per sortie. This capability dwarfs traditional missile loadouts and provides a high-volume, low-cost countermeasure against the growing drone threat.
Gabriel Myers, spokesperson for the 96th Test Wing, confirmed the image’s origin. “The Eglin AFB test community, through strong partnerships, has aggressively conducted integrated tests of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System,” Myers said. “By working at speed to ensure advanced capabilities have the intended effects, we increase warfighter readiness and lethality.”
The advantages of APKWS II go beyond simple numbers. At approximately $15,000 to $20,000 per guidance kit—compared to the $450,000 AIM-9X Sidewinder or the $1 million AIM-120 AMRAAM—the rocket offers an economical solution to the rising volume of unmanned aerial threats. The weapon has proven particularly useful against steady, slow-moving targets like drones and subsonic cruise missiles.
“The APKWS is not a dogfighting weapon,” a senior Air Force officer noted. “But for intercepting drones and other low-performance aerial threats, it provides a cost-effective and scalable option.”
F-15Es previously deployed to defend Israel from Iranian drone and missile attacks faced the very issue APKWS aims to solve: limited missile supplies. In April 2024, during a saturation attack on Israel, Strike Eagle crews reportedly exhausted their air-to-air missiles and were forced to rely on their M61 Vulcan cannon, with little success.
“You just gotta get the jets in the air and positioned for intercept,” said retired Air Force Lt. Col. Daren “Shotgun” Sorenson, an experienced F-15E pilot. “The radars will see the drones. Then it’s just a matter of how many missiles you have versus how many drones are coming.”
APKWS II’s combat use began years ago with helicopters and AV-8B Harriers in the Marine Corps, eventually expanding to F/A-18 Hornets and USAF F-16s. Its small warhead is sufficient to destroy light vehicles, boats, and UAVs, while its precision reduces collateral damage—a key concern in modern conflict zones.
F-16s flying out of the Middle East in 2024 were spotted carrying APKWS pods in air-to-air configurations alongside traditional air-to-air missiles and LITENING targeting pods. These pods can be slaved to the aircraft’s radar for laser designation, or a wingman can “buddy lase” the target, simplifying intercepts of slow-moving threats.
The F-15E’s two-seat configuration allows a weapons system officer (WSO) to focus on targeting while the pilot manages flight operations. Combined with conformal fuel tanks, substantial weapons payload, and aerial refueling capabilities, the F-15E can maintain long-duration defensive patrols against drone swarms.
This extended loiter time is critical for base defense and force protection, especially in high-threat areas like the Middle East. Recently, a detachment of F-15Es was stationed on Diego Garcia to support deployed B-52 bombers, highlighting their importance in the Indo-Pacific theater.
While APKWS II currently relies on laser designation, BAE Systems is developing a dual-mode seeker that adds a passive infrared capability. This upgrade would make the rocket quasi-fire-and-forget, enhancing its effectiveness and allowing faster multi-target engagements. Initial cueing would still be required, but the platform could shift targets more quickly after launch.
As missile demand surges and drone threats evolve, the Strike Eagle’s capacity and performance make it an ideal host for APKWS II. Notably, the F-15EX Eagle II, the latest in the Eagle family, is expected to benefit from this development. Designed for homeland defense and equipped with digital fly-by-wire controls and updated sensors, the F-15EX offers even more potential for high-volume engagements.
The integration of APKWS II on F-15s is already influencing acquisition and deployment decisions. Congress recently blocked USAF plans to retire large numbers of F-15Es, citing their ongoing strategic value. Meanwhile, countries like Israel and Indonesia are preparing to field F-15EX variants, and Poland is reportedly exploring similar purchases.
“The proliferation of one-way attack drones is driving massive demand for counter-UAS capabilities,” The Merge podcast team said in a statement. “The cost exchange of APKWS and the magazine depth offered by the F-15E/X will make a meaningful difference.”
There is also speculation about APKWS II expanding into the Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, which have already been upgraded to carry more AIM-9Xs in response to drone threats. The Navy has dubbed these heavily armed aircraft “Murder Hornets.”
The image of the APKWS-equipped F-15E might just be a test snapshot, but it reflects a broader paradigm shift. As adversaries increasingly rely on cheap, swarming drones and low-cost cruise missiles, the U.S. military is adjusting its approach. Quantity matters as much as quality, and cost-per-shot is becoming a critical metric.
If deployed widely, this new loadout could enable the Air Force to field persistent, layered aerial defenses over critical assets at home and abroad. With upgraded APKWS II rockets aboard one of the world’s most combat-proven fighters, the U.S. gains a powerful tool to dominate the drone-infested skies of modern warfare.
The skies over Eglin serve as the testing ground for a future where volume firepower, cost-efficiency, and flexibility define aerial superiority.
