A new video reveals U.S. fighter aircraft effectively destroying Houthi drones with rockets, a significantly more cost-effective method than using high-priced air-to-air missiles. This shows a shift towards cheaper alternatives in combating aerial threats.
The U.S. military is adjusting its tactics in the Red Sea, where the cost disparity between its high-tech weapons and the inexpensive drones used by Yemen’s Houthi rebels presents a strategic challenge.
Newly released footage from March 19 by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) shows American fighter jets using AGR-20 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) rockets to destroy Houthi drones—an alternative to expensive air-to-air missiles, marking a shift in U.S. military strategy.
The AGR-20 FALCO Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) consists of Hydra 70 2.75-inch rockets that are originally unguided but are enhanced with laser guidance kits to transform them into precision weapons. These rockets are compact, measuring nearly 19 inches in length and just under 3 inches in diameter, giving them a slim profile.
CENTCOM has not revealed the specifics of where or when the engagement occurred, nor the exact aircraft used to deploy APKWS rockets against Houthi drones. These precision-guided rockets are compatible with various aircraft.
U.S. Fighter aircraft shoot down Iran-backed Houthi one-way-attack drones with AGR-20 FALCO Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) Laser Guided 2.75" Rockets.#HouthisAreTerrorists pic.twitter.com/bDoVnKwotc
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 19, 2025
Earlier this year, a U.S. official informed the media that Air Force F-16s had been utilizing these rockets against Houthi drones. The Air Force had previously tested these air-to-ground rockets as a cost-effective alternative for air-to-air engagements.
Economics of War
Since October 2023, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have launched hundreds of drone and missile attacks in the Red Sea, targeting commercial ships and U.S. naval assets.
In response, the U.S. has led a multinational coalition, Operation Prosperity Guardian, to protect maritime traffic and deter Houthi aggression.
The U.S. response has involved a combination of defensive and offensive measures. U.S. warships have intercepted numerous Houthi drones and missiles using their onboard defense systems, including the Aegis Combat System and SM-2 missiles.
In addition to defensive measures, the U.S. has conducted retaliatory strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. These strikes have targeted drone launch sites, missile storage facilities, and command-and-control centers.
However, the sheer volume of attacks has strained these defenses, highlighting the need for more cost-effective solutions.
The Houthis, backed by Iran, have turned drones into a potent asymmetric weapon.
These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), costing between US$20,000 and US$40,000, force the U.S. to counter them with significantly more expensive missiles like the AIM-9 Sidewinder (US$500,000) and AIM-120 AMRAAM (over US$1 million).
Iran has long exploited cost disparities in warfare, supplying its regional allies with cheap drones and missiles to drain U.S. and allied resources.
During Iran’s Operation True Promise against Israel, Shahed-136 drones, priced at around US$20,000, forced Israel to intercept them using Arrow missiles, each costing US$3.5 million. The same economic strategy is now playing out in the Red Sea, where Houthi drones—some costing as little as US$50,000—provoke responses from advanced Western defense systems.
The Houthis’ drone campaign mirrors Tehran’s playbook. Iran’s mass production of low-cost UAVs enables its proxies to launch sustained attacks, straining adversaries financially.
According to Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, the U.S. has already spent over US$1 billion responding to Houthi drone attacks.
The US has been locked in a prolonged and expensive war, underlining the economic unsustainability of using million-dollar missiles against low-cost drones. Recognizing the financial strain of its initial response, the U.S. military has reportedly been testing APKWS for air-to-air engagements since 2022.
The rockets have been integrated into platforms like the F-16, offering a flexible, cost-effective alternative to traditional air-to-air missiles.
Future Implications
While APKWS rockets provide a cheaper solution, they are not a complete fix. The Houthis continue to receive Iranian support, allowing them to sustain drone operations. Despite the cost savings of APKWS, the fundamental asymmetry remains—low-cost drones will continue challenging high-tech defenses.
“The cost of the rockets is more closely aligned with the price tag of a Houthi drone,” Business Insider’s Jake Epstein observed, but the rebels’ ability to deploy drones in large numbers still pressures U.S. defenses.
“The new campaign began on Saturday,” Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich stated, detailing airstrikes on “over 30 Houthi targets at multiple locations.”
These strikes targeted training sites, drone infrastructure, weapons storage facilities, and command centers to weaken Houthi capabilities.
The USS Harry S. Truman, deployed in the region, plays a central role in these operations. CENTCOM has released footage of aircraft launching from its deck to strike Houthi targets, while U.S. warships have conducted missile strikes as part of the campaign.
President Donald Trump commented on the conflict, declaring on Truth Social: “Tremendous damage has been inflicted upon the Houthi barbarians, and watch how it will get progressively worse. It’s not even a fair fight and never will be. They will be annihilated!”
While the U.S. holds overwhelming military superiority, the financial burden of countering drone warfare is undeniable. Iran and its allies use attritional strategies to drain U.S. resources. Tehran’s doctrine relies on forcing adversaries into expensive, drawn-out conflicts, and the Houthis are following suit in the Red Sea.
U.S.-China Tensions: F-16 Vipers To Get LRASM Capability That Could Puncture World’s Biggest Navy
On March 16, the United States conducted airstrikes on the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, and other Houthi-controlled areas. These strikes, which reportedly caused casualties, including among civilians, were described by the U.S. as measures to deter further Houthi aggression and to protect regional security and freedom of navigation.
Later, on March 20, Houthis attacked Israel’s Ben Gurion airport with a Palestine-2 ballistic missile.
The Red Sea conflict serves as a critical test of endurance. The U.S., with its unmatched military power, must adapt to the economic toll of asymmetric warfare
- Penned By: Mohd. Asif Khan, ET Desk
- Mail us at: editor (at) eurasiantimes.com
