The Eurofighter Typhoon is evaluating an air‑to‑air‑optimized variant of the APKWS laser‑guided rocket as a potential counter‑drone weapon amid growing concerns over small UAS threats across Europe. The assessment positions a low‑cost precision rocket as a short‑range kinetic option for self‑protection and close‑in engagements.
Discovered |
Briefing
Adds a low‑cost, short‑range kinetic option to fighter self‑protection against swarming and loitering UAS, complementing parallel electronic‑warfare and directed‑energy counter‑drone efforts such as Raytheon’s evaluation of portable HELWS and recent rapid EW fielding by Northrop Grumman (see EW and laser CUAS efforts: https://hype.aero/?story=f5102c77-875c-4374-af78-b6b3efce6937 and https://hype.aero/?story=75f5356f-baa6-48cf-98c5-0a30323390c7).
The move has operational and export implications for Typhoon fleets: weapons‑fit and mission planning would be affected during evaluations and could influence ongoing sales discussions and retrofit programs (context on recent Typhoon export activity: https://hype.aero/?story=8c3d5edd-e333-4fd3-8aaa-5171f32c9a7f).
APKWS already has operational pedigree on fast jets, demonstrating a fielded precision rocket solution; its evaluation for air‑to‑air CUAS roles follows broader procurement interest in counter‑UAS capabilities across Europe (operational use noted on F‑15Es: https://hype.aero/?story=095389e9-7bd9-454f-b3cd-50f785d972f7).
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The War Zone
• Thomas Newdick