Drone-Killing Drone: Air Force Tests APKWS Laser-Guided Rockets on MQ-9

Why It Matters

Adding a cheap, precision‑guided rocket to the MQ‑9 gives the Air Force an affordable tool against proliferating drone swarms while broadening the UAV’s combat role in contested airspace.

Key Takeaways

• MQ‑9A Reaper successfully launched laser‑guided APKWS rockets in flight tests
• APKWS rockets cost under $40,000, far cheaper than AIM‑120 missiles
• Integration adds air‑to‑air capability to a traditionally ISR‑focused UAV
• Successful tests could accelerate UCAV adoption for counter‑UAS missions

Pulse Analysis

The recent Nevada test marks the first time the Air Force has demonstrated a laser‑guided 70 mm rocket being fired from an MQ‑9A Reaper. By marrying the Reaper’s long‑endurance, high‑altitude platform with the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, the service gains a low‑cost, precision strike option that can engage fast‑moving, low‑observable drones without the expense of a guided missile. At less than $40,000 per round, APKWS offers a price point an order of magnitude lower than the AIM‑120 AMRAAM, allowing operators to expend many rockets against swarming threats while preserving higher‑value munitions for strategic targets.

The test reflects a broader shift toward unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs) serving as both sensors and shooters in the contested battlespace. Traditional counter‑UAS solutions rely on ground‑based radars, directed‑energy weapons, or expensive air‑to‑air missiles; integrating APKWS onto a UAV creates a flexible, airborne layer that can be positioned close to the threat corridor. Compared with the AIM‑9 Sidewinder’s $200,000 price tag and limited loiter time, the Reaper‑APKWS combination can loiter for hours, launch multiple rockets, and return to base for rapid re‑arm, dramatically increasing sortie effectiveness against dense drone swarms.

If the Air Force moves the Reaper‑APKWS package into operational service, procurement planners may prioritize larger UAV fleets over additional manned fighters for low‑intensity air‑defense roles. The cost advantage also makes the system attractive to allied air forces confronting similar drone proliferation, potentially opening export opportunities for both General Atomics and BAE Systems. Moreover, the capability could reshape tactics in the Middle East, where Iranian and Houthi drones have strained naval and air assets; a fleet of armed Reapers could provide persistent, affordable protection for ships and forward bases.