Breaking News: US Fighter Jet Destroys Houthi Drones in Red Sea Using Advanced Laser-Guided Rockets.

On March 19, 2025, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) released a video on their X (formerly Twitter) account showcasing U.S. fighter aircraft intercepting and destroying Iran-backed Houthi one-way attack drones using the AGR-20 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guided 2.75-inch rockets. This engagement underscores the U.S. military's commitment to employing cost-effective solutions to counter aerial threats in the Middle East. The increasing use of one-way attack drones by the Houthis, often supplied or influenced by Iranian technology, has necessitated a responsive and economically viable countermeasure. The APKWS provides an efficient solution, allowing the U.S. Air Force and Navy to neutralize drone threats without depleting expensive missile stockpiles
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Video footage from U.S. Central Command shows a Houthi one-way attack drone moments before its destruction by a U.S. fighter aircraft using an AGR-20 APKWS laser-guided rocket over the Red Sea. (Picture source: X U.S. Central Command)

The AGR-20 APKWS is a precision-guidance kit developed by BAE Systems that transforms standard 2.75-inch (70 mm) Hydra 70 unguided rockets into laser-guided munitions. The system integrates a Distributed Aperture Semi-Active Laser Seeker (DASALS), a mid-body guidance unit that allows the rocket to lock onto a laser-designated target with high precision. Unlike traditional unguided rockets, which have a limited probability of direct hits, the APKWS converts them into an effective and precise air-to-ground or air-to-air weapon.

One of the main advantages of the APKWS is its cost-effectiveness. Each unit costs approximately $35,000, significantly less than standard air-to-air missiles like the AIM-9 Sidewinder or AIM-120 AMRAAM, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per missile. This makes it an ideal weapon for engaging small, low-cost aerial threats such as drones, which can be mass-produced by adversaries at minimal expense. The APKWS is also compatible with a wide range of platforms, including fixed-wing aircraft like the F-16 Fighting Falcon and AV-8B Harrier, rotary-wing platforms such as the AH-1Z Viper and UH-60 Black Hawk, and even unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs).

The APKWS has demonstrated its effectiveness in counter-drone operations. During tests conducted at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, the APKWS achieved a 100% success rate against drones moving at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. This capability allows for precise engagements against small, fast-moving threats that traditional missile systems may find challenging to track and destroy. Additionally, its lightweight nature and smaller warhead reduce collateral damage, making it a suitable weapon for operations in congested areas or over maritime environments.

The deployment of U.S. naval forces against the Houthi threat in the Red Sea and surrounding waters is a key component of U.S. strategy to ensure freedom of navigation and maritime security. The U.S. Navy's involvement in countering Houthi aggression began intensifying in late 2023 when Iran-backed Houthis launched a series of missile and drone attacks targeting commercial vessels and military assets in the Red Sea. In response, the U.S. Navy increased its presence in the region, with destroyers like the USS Carney (DDG-64) and USS Gravely (DDG-107) intercepting multiple Houthi-launched missiles and drones in late 2023 and early 2024.

In December 2023, the U.S. formally launched Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational naval coalition aimed at protecting commercial shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks. The coalition included naval forces from the United Kingdom, France, and regional allies. The operation was designed to counter the growing threat of Houthi drone and missile attacks, which disrupted global shipping routes and threatened maritime trade.

By early 2024, the U.S. Navy had reinforced its presence in the region, deploying additional assets, including the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (CSG) to operate alongside existing naval forces. The USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG) was later dispatched to the Red Sea, bringing significant offensive and defensive capabilities to the region. As a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) serves as a mobile airbase, deploying Carrier Air Wing 1 (CVW-1), which includes F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, and E-2D Advanced Hawkeye early warning aircraft. These assets provide air superiority, electronic warfare support, and extended situational awareness for operations in the region.

The carrier strike group is further reinforced by guided-missile cruisers and destroyers. The Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG-64) and the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Stout (DDG-55) and USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109) are equipped with the Aegis Combat System, which enhances their ability to conduct integrated air and missile defense. These warships are capable of launching Standard Missile (SM-2 and SM-6) interceptors, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and other advanced weapons to counter aerial, surface, and ballistic missile threats.

The primary objectives of these deployments have been to safeguard international shipping lanes, protect allied maritime assets, and deter Houthi aggression. The U.S. Navy's presence in the region serves as a deterrent against potential threats to commercial and military vessels, ensuring the free flow of commerce through vital waterways such as the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Suez Canal. The USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group’s combination of airpower, missile defense systems, and electronic warfare capabilities ensures a multi-layered defense strategy, allowing U.S. forces to preemptively strike Houthi targets while maintaining defensive coverage against potential retaliatory drone and missile strikes.

The effectiveness of the APKWS in recent operations underscores its growing importance in modern asymmetric warfare. As the Houthi threat continues to evolve, U.S. forces will likely rely on a combination of advanced surveillance, precision-guided munitions, and strategic naval deployments to maintain operational dominance in the region. The adaptability of the APKWS, along with the formidable capabilities of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, ensures that the U.S. remains well-positioned to neutralize emerging threats while minimizing costs and collateral damage. The ongoing naval presence in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden further reinforces U.S. commitment to regional stability and the security of maritime trade routes.