General Staff shows F-16 sniper pod in action - video
F-16 equipped with APKWS II missiles (Photo: The War Zone)
F-16s fighter jets were filmed shooting down enemy Shahed drones over Ukraine using cost-effective APKWS II guided missiles, the General Staff reported on Feb. 17.
The military released the footage for the first time.
The interception video drew immediate attention from military analysts.
Defense Express noted that the footage was likely recorded using an AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod. The visible interface closely matches Lockheed Martin's system, though the Air Force cropped the edges of the screen.
The missile's relatively low flight speed and the use of a laser designator to illuminate the enemy drone confirm the deployment of the APKWS II system.
Analysts first predicted the arrival of APKWS II for Ukrainian F-16s on Dec. 5, 2025.
"This is very good news, as the Air Force finally received one of the best methods to counter UAVs, perfectly fitting the phrase 'cheap and cheerful'," Defense Express noted.
The system allows Ukraine to conserve its AIM-9 and AIM-120 missiles, which cost millions of dollars each.
APKWS II specifications
The APKWS II transforms standard unguided Hydra 70 rockets into precision munitions by adding a laser guidance unit. Manufactured by the U.S. company BAE Systems, the weapon has been in service since 2012.
Key characteristics of the missile with the APKWS II adapter:
Weight: 15 kg
Length: 1.87 m
Diameter: 7 cm
Speed: Up to 1,000 m/s
Accuracy: 93% hit rate
Cost: ~$25,000 per kit
Components: Hydra 70 warhead and engine; WGU-59/B guidance unit.
The laser seeker is mounted on the leading edge of each control fin.
Unguided Hydra 70 rockets were originally developed in the 1940s, and the APKWS II program was essentially created for the 'smart disposal' of these massive stockpiles.
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