WASHINGTON, D.C. : The U.S. Air Force has approved rapid prototyping and production of a new air-to-air configuration of the AGR-20F “FALCO” missile to address large-scale one-way attack (OWA) drone swarms. The effort is being executed under Joint Urgent Operational Need (JUON) CC-0588, issued in August 2024 after U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) identified a critical operational vulnerability during sustained drone engagements in the Middle East.
The requirement mandates initial fielding by fall 2026, with full operational integration within 24 months of the original directive. The program centers on modifying BAE Systems’ Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) into a low-cost air-to-air interceptor capable of engaging multiple unmanned aerial systems (UAS) more efficiently than traditional air-to-air missiles.
Air-to-Air Dual Mode Configuration
The AGR-20F FALCO is derived from the APKWS rocket system, which historically relied on semi-active laser guidance. The upgraded variant incorporates a dual-mode guidance architecture designed specifically for aerial swarm defense.
The primary enhancement is a nose-mounted Long-Wave Infrared (LWIR) seeker, allowing the missile to transition from laser designation to autonomous infrared homing during flight. This reduces the time a pilot must maintain continuous laser tracking and enables sequential engagement of multiple maneuvering drones.
The missile also features a mid-body warhead equipped with a dual-safe proximity fuse, optimized to defeat Group 3 unmanned aerial systems without requiring a direct kinetic impact. This configuration increases effectiveness against smaller and agile targets.
The overall system supports rapid engagement cycles, improving sortie efficiency during operations involving massed drone formations.
Operational Context
The accelerated timeline reflects operational lessons from recent conflicts in the Middle East. In April 2024, U.S. and coalition forces conducted what officials described as the largest counter-UAS engagement to date during an Iranian-led drone and missile attack on Israel.
In June 2025, that record was surpassed when U.S. forces engaged approximately 1,200 one-way attack drones over a two-week period. During these operations, aircrews expended hundreds of high-end air-to-air missiles and, in several cases, used internal aircraft gun systems to conserve limited missile inventories.
The AGR-20F FALCO is intended to improve the cost-exchange ratio in sustained counter-drone operations and preserve advanced interceptors for higher-value threats.
Testing and Integration Efforts
Live-fire demonstrations of the air-to-air configuration were conducted in May 2025 by the 96th Test Wing and the 53rd Wing at Eglin Air Force Base. The tests utilized the F-15E Strike Eagle as the launch platform.
To meet the accelerated timeline, engineers adapted 1970s-era Triple Ejector Racks, enabling fighter aircraft to carry multiple rockets without waiting for new rack development programs.
The Air Force plans to integrate the system onto two primary platforms:
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F-16 Fighting Falcon — designated as the primary fixed-wing interceptor for mass drone swarms.
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MH-60 Seahawk — providing the U.S. Navy with a cost-effective maritime counter-drone capability.
Due to its smaller diameter, the FALCO missile allows a fighter aircraft to carry a dozen or more missiles per sortie, significantly expanding magazine depth against swarms that may number in the hundreds.
Production and Deployment Plan
BAE Systems was selected as the lead contractor following a competitive process involving 43 respondents. Under the current contract, the company will deliver components for 300 prototype missiles.
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100 units are allocated for formal integration and qualification testing.
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200 units will be deployed to the Middle East as operational leave-behinds for immediate evaluation and contingency use.
The phased deployment structure enables parallel operational assessment and refinement while maintaining readiness in active theaters.
According to Air Force documentation, the objective is to deliver a scalable, high-volume air-to-air solution specifically designed to counter one-way attack drone swarms. The AGR-20F FALCO variant represents the adaptation of an existing precision rocket system to meet evolving operational requirements identified through recent combat experience.
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