How The U.S. Air Force Unlocked A Drone-Killing Rocket Capability

Front view of U.S. Air Force F-16

A Lockheed Martin F-16 outfitted with six laser-guided rocket pods is now the U.S. Air Force system of choice for drone defense.

Credit: Airman 1st Class Nyanda Walker-Potts/U.S. Air Force
The prevalence of slow-moving uncrewed aircraft systems targeting U.S. interests in the Middle East prompted a back-of-the-napkin idea—and then a software update—to take them down using cheaper, laser-guided drones. That update, using Northrop Grumman’s Litening pod to target BAE Systems Advanced...
Brian Everstine

Brian Everstine is the Pentagon Editor for Aviation Week, based in Washington, D.C.

How The U.S. Air Force Unlocked A Drone-Killing Rocket Capability is available to both Aviation Week & Space Technology and AWIN subscribers.

Subscribe now to read this content, plus receive critical analysis into emerging trends, technological advancements, operational best practices and continuous updates to policy, requirements and budgets.

Already a subscriber to AW&ST or AWIN? Log in with your existing email and password.