The U.S. Air Force has deployed F-15E Strike Eagles armed with 42 laser-guided rockets to the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility.
A photo released by CENTCOM shows an F-15E equipped with six LAU-131A/A rocket pods, each loaded with seven AGR-20 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) II rockets. The photo was released following earlier sightings of similar loadouts during testing at Eglin Air Force Base.
U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. pic.twitter.com/xxg6F6LlqB
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) May 30, 2025
Aside from the 42 rockets, the aircraft is also armed with four AIM-9X and four AIM-120C/D missiles.
Originally developed for ground targets, the APKWS II has been adapted for air-to-air roles under the FALCO program, with improved software for drone defense. At roughly $30,000 per unit, APKWS offers a low-cost alternative to AIM-9X and AIM-120 missiles.
Open-source analyst Evergreen Intel said the aircraft in the photo is stationed at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, a long-standing hub for F-15E operations.
Geolocation: 31.827123, 36.797503
Muwaffaq Salti AB, JordanF-15E 87-0210 from 389th Fighter Squadron, Mountain Home AFB, ID. https://t.co/EN11Y3nYAy
— Evergreen Intel (@vcdgf555) May 30, 2025
According to The Aviationist, the APKWS II is already deployed across multiple U.S. platforms, including the USMC’s AV-8B Harrier and F/A-18C/D Hornets, AH-1Z Vipers and UH-1Y Venoms, the USAF’s A-10Cs and F-16s, the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R/S helicopters, and the U.S. Army’s AH-64D/E Apaches.
