Latest news with #U.S.CentralCommand
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
F-15E Armed With Drone Killing Laser-Guided Rockets Appears In Middle East
We now have a picture showing a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle down-range in the Middle East with an air-to-air loadout that includes six seven-shot 70mm rocket pods, as well as four AIM-9X and four AIM-120 missiles. This comes a week after TWZ was the first to report on testing of the laser-guided 70mm Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) rockets as a new armament option for the F-15E. As we noted at that time, the exact loadout we're now seeing on a deployed Strike Eagle turns the jet into a counter-drone and cruise missile 'weapons truck' with a whopping 50 engagement opportunities, not counting the internal gun. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) posted the picture in question, seen at the top of this story, today on social media with a basic caption offering no additional context. TWZ had reached out to CENTCOM and the Air Force for more information. U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) May 30, 2025 There are indications that the image was taken at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, which has long been a known hub for U.S. F-15E operations in the region. Picture posted by USCENTCOM Twitter account showing an F-15E with an anti-UAV is: 31.827123, 36.797503 (Muwaffaq Salti AB, Jordan.F-15E is 87-0210 from 389th Fighter Squadron, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. — Evergreen Intel (@ 2025-05-30T17:47:36.641Z The image of the rocket-toting F-15E that had emerged last week via social media channels associated with The Merge military aviation podcast was taken at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, but it remains unclear when. 'The Eglin AFB test community through strong partnerships have aggressively conducted integrated test of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System,' Gabriel Myers, a spokesperson for the 96th Test Wing at Eglin, previously told TWZ when asked for more information about that picture. 'By working at speed to ensure advanced capabilities have the intended effects, we increase warfighter readiness and lethality to meet the global demands of the joint force.' The U.S. military still does not appear to have officially announced the integration of laser-guided APKWS II onto the F-15E. Originally designed as an air-to-ground munition, APKWS II is cleared for use on Air Force F-16C/D Vipers and A-10 Warthogs, as well as U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers and F/A-18C/D Hornets on the fixed-wing side. The precision-guided rockets are also part of the arsenals available for Marine AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters, as well as U.S. Navy MH-60R/S Seahawks and U.S. Army AH-64D/E Apaches. Each APKWS II rocket consists of a laser guidance package inserted between a standard 70mm rocket motor and one of a variety of warhead options. Regardless, it is not at all surprising that an F-15E with the heavy rocket loadout has now emerged in the Middle East in an operational context. As we previously wrote: 'The Strike Eagle and APKWS II combo's potential in the air-to-air role that is perhaps most exciting. As we noted earlier, Air Force F-16s first began employing the laser-guided rockets in an anti-air optimized configuration to shoot down Houthi drones during operations over and around the Red Sea last year, which TWZ was first to report. The Air Force had announced back in 2019 that it had demonstrated APKWS II's ability to be used as an air-to-air weapon in a test wherein an F-16 downed a surrogate for a subsonic cruise missile, something we were also first to report on. APKWS II is also combat-proven in the surface-to-air role against drones, as well as in air-ground modes and surface-to-surface modes.' 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 — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 19, 2025 'Since January, F-16s have been observed flying the Middle East carrying air-to-air loadouts that include one or two seven-shot 70mm rocket pods, as well as traditional air-to-air missiles and LITENING targeting pods. This had already underscored the magazine depth benefits of APKWS II. A typical air-to-air for the Viper consists of six air-to-air missiles. Just having a pair of rocket pods on one pylon effectively triples the number of anti-air engagement opportunities per sortie. The F-15E with six seven-shot rocket pods, along with eight air-to-air missiles, goes far beyond that capacity.' … 'Together with aerial refueling support, an F-15E armed with APKWS II rockets and traditional air-to-air missiles could provide a far more persistent counter-air screen with a huge magazine depth against drones and some cruise missile types. This kind of general scenario is what Air Force Strike Eagle crews found themselves in on multiple occasions while defending Israel from Iranian attacks last year, during which, running out of missiles became the limiting factor.' The F-15E also has the advantage of being a two-seat aircraft, which allows the pilot in front to focus on flying the plane while the back-seater engages targets in the air or on the ground and performs other tasks. It is worth mentioning that Muwaffaq Salti was a major staging point for the aforementioned F-15E sorties in the defense of Israel last year. Stunning accounts of those operations have since emerged. This includes at least one instance in which a Strike Eagle crew switched to the jet's 20mm M61 Vulcan cannon after running out of missiles, but was unable to shoot down anything with the gun. It would make sense that an APKWS II capability for the F-15E, particularly for use in the air-to-air role, would have been rushed into service after those experiences, and subsequently fielded to Strike Eagle units deployed in Jordan. APKWS II is limited in the air-to-air role to engaging non-reactionary, low-performance targets that fly along relatively steady courses like one-way-attack drones and subsonic cruise missiles. Currently, targets have to be manually designated, or 'lazed,' throughout the entire course of the engagement, as well. APKWS II's prime contractor, BAE Systems, is now working on a dual-mode guidance package that incorporates an infrared seeker that is designed to offer a pseudo-fire-and-forget capability to make it easier to move on from engaging on target to the next, as you can read more about here. At the same time, the aforementioned magazine depth, together with the lower unit cost of an APKWS II rocket compared to traditional air-to-air missiles, offers clear benefits. The latest variants of the AIM-120 cost around $1 million apiece, while current-generation AIM-9Xs each have a price tag around $450,000. The most expensive part of an APKWS II rocket is the guidance section, which costs between $15,000 and $20,000, with the rocket motor and warhead adding a few thousand dollars more to the total price point. As shown by the F-15E in the newly released picture, air-to-air loadouts incorporating APKWS II can also still include air-to-air missiles for prosecuting more demanding threats. It remains likely that APKWS II will be integrated onto further fixed-wing aircraft in the future for use in the air-to-air role, such as the U.S. Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornets. The Air Force's F-15E Strike Eagle fleet has now gotten a major firepower boost, especially for hunting down incoming drones and cruise missiles. Contact the author: joe@
Miami Herald
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Iran Ramps Up Defenses as Risks of U.S. Attack Grow
The Iranian's army chief of staff said the country's air defense capabilities have significantly increased, in preparedness for any violation of its airspace. Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) for comment. Military posturing has continued in parallel with diplomatic efforts to resolve the standoff over Iran's nuclear program, with U.S. President Donald Trump threatening military action if talks fail. The United States and Iran remain at odds over uranium enrichment, making the discussions increasingly fraught and increasing the risk of failure. Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major-General Mohammad Baqeri, told an air defense meeting that the country has seen a fivefold increase over the last year in the number of radars, monitoring systems, and detection equipment it has, according to semi-official Tasnim News Agency. The U.S. Air Force, which has been bolstering military equipment in the remote Diego Garcia airbase with strategic bombers, has meanwhile deployed additional F-15 fighter jets to the Indian Ocean island, bringing the total to six, The War Zone reported, citing a U.S. defense official. Diego Garcia would be within bombing range of Iran. As the U.S. is pressing Iran to abandon enrichment, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior officials have strongly opposed the demand. "For the Americans to say, 'We won't allow Iran to enrich uranium,' is utter nonsense," Khamenei posted to his X account, casting doubt on the outcome of ongoing talks. Baqeri said Iran's interception and destruction capabilities for aerial threats had increased by as much as three times, adding that Iran's airspace is under constant surveillance. Tehran has also recently unveiled a new ballistic missile capable of striking U.S. targets. Iran says that its enrichment of uranium is for a civilian nuclear program, with monitoring from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) but the watchdog, the United States and Israel are concerned that enrichment levels and activities could enable it to make nuclear weapons. Commander Matthew Comer, Indo-Pacific Command spokesperson, told The War Zone this week: "The F-15s are deployed providing force protection." Chief of Staff of the Iranian army Major-General Mohammad Baqeri, as quoted by IRNA News Agency last week: "In case the enemies make a mistake or intend to take action against the establishment and the sacred waters and soil of the Islamic Republic of Iran, our armed forces have the ability and readiness to confront them." Nuclear talks are expected to continue, but the risk of an impasse increases the chances of military action. Related Articles Iran's Supreme Leader Speaks Out on Nuclear Deal With TrumpIran's Collapsing Economy Caught in Trump's CrosshairsUS and Iran Clash Over Nuclear Red LinesChina Expanding Haifa Port, Endangering Israeli and American Security | Opinion 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump highlights potential pay raise for troops, touts military reforms in Qatar speech
President Donald Trump blasted President Joe Biden's withdrawal from Afghanistan and cited his wish to give troops a pay raise in an address to U.S. service members on Thursday. Trump made the comments during an address to troops at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar during his extended trip to the Middle East. "My 2026 budget includes across the board – maybe you don't want to look for the good of the country, you don't have to take it – pay raises for each and every one of you. Substantial pay raises," Trump said. "You are without a doubt the greatest fighting force in the history of the world. That's the way it is. I said it last night. I said it's strong. We have the strongest military in the world. It's not even a contest. We have the best equipment, nobody has equipment like us, nobody has the planes or the missiles or anything else," he continued. Rubio Takes Somber Tone On Russia-ukraine Peace Deal: 'Close But Not Close Enough' "And as your commander-in-chief, I'm here to say that America's military will soon be bigger, better, stronger and more powerful than ever," he added. Read On The Fox News App Trump went on to criticize Biden, noting the deaths of 13 U.S. troops during the evacuation from Kabul, Afghanistan. Trump Considers Joining Russia-ukraine Negotiations In Turkey, Unclear If Putin Will Show Trump's speech came less than a day after he on Wednesday signed a series of agreements with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha, Qatar. The agreements involved a purchasing agreement by Qatar for Boeing aircraft, as well as letters of intent and "joint cooperation" between Qatar and the U.S. The emir also signed an intent agreement to purchase MQ-9 drone aircraft. Trump Says He'll Drop Sanctions On Syria In Move To Normalize Relations Al Thani said he had a "great" conversation with Trump prior to the signing ceremony on Wednesday, adding that the agreements have elevated the U.S.-Qatar relationship to "another level." U.S. relations with Doha have come a long way since 2017, when Trump accused Qatar of harboring terrorism: "The nation of Qatar, unfortunately, has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level," Trump said at the time. From there, Qatar became a major non-NATO ally to the U.S. in 2022 under Biden and is home to Al Udeid Air Base, one of the U.S.'s largest Middle Eastern bases and a key hub for U.S. Central Command operations. Fox News' Morgan Phillips contributed to this article source: Trump highlights potential pay raise for troops, touts military reforms in Qatar speech
Epoch Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Trump Visits American Troops in Qatar During Middle-East Tour
AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar—Trump visited Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Wednesday, the third day of his Middle East tour, delivering a speech to nearly 2,000 soldiers. Trump thanked the troops for making America 'incredibly proud.' Al Udeid Air Base located just southwest of Doha, Qatar, is the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East. The base can accommodate up to 120 aircraft and 10,000 troops. The base played a pivotal role during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, serving as the primary logistical and operational hub for evacuating tens of thousands of people. It also functioned as a central base for U.S. Central Command's air campaign against ISIS, coordinating and launching airstrikes and surveillance missions across Iraq and Syria. During his speech, Trump announced that his proposed 2026 budget includes a pay increase for U.S. military personnel. He touted key changes he made since returning to office, including the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, gender-related policies, and 'political correctness' in the military. He praised the recent surge in military enrollment, claiming it had reached its highest level in years. Trump also declared that the country has a renewed 'spirit' that began on Nov. 5, referring to Election Day. Related Stories 5/14/2025 5/14/2025 'We will fight, fight, fight and win, win, win,' he said as he closed his remarks. Before he visited the military base, Trump joined a business roundtable in Doha. On May 14, Trump was welcomed with a lavish ceremony by Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, followed by a bilateral meeting where the two leaders signed agreements to strengthen economic ties. During the visit, U.S. companies secured deals totaling $244 billion, including more than $90 billion in Boeing jet sales to Qatar Airways. It is the first state visit by a U.S. president to Qatar. During his speech at the American base, Trump touted the new agreements signed with Qatar, including $42 billion in military sales. He said his second term 'will be better' than his first term, telling the soldiers that he will bring in $10 trillion in foreign investment into the U.S. economy. After his speech, Trump headed to Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, for the last leg of his speech. The president will wrap his meetings in Abu Dhabi and head to Washington on Thursday.
Fox News
15-05-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Trump highlights potential pay raise for troops, touts military reforms in Qatar speech
President Donald Trump blasted President Joe Biden's withdrawal from Afghanistan and cited his wish to troops a pay raise in an address to U.S. service members on Thursday. Trump made the comments during an address to troops at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar during his extended trip to the Middle East. "My 2026 budget includes across the board – maybe you don't want to look for the good of the country, you don't have to take it – pay raises for each and every one of you. Substantial pay raises," Trump said. "You are without a doubt the greatest fighting force in the history of the world. That's the way it is. I said it last night. I said it's strong. We have the strongest military in the world. It's not even a contest. We have the best equipment, nobody has equipment like us, nobody has the planes or the missiles or anything else," he continued. "And as your commander-in-chief, I'm here to say that America's military will soon be bigger, better, stronger and more powerful than ever," he added. Trump went on to criticize Biden, noting the deaths of 13 U.S. troops during the evacuation from Kabul, Afghanistan. Trump's speech came less than a day after he on Wednesday signed a series of agreements with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha, Qatar. The agreements involved a purchasing agreement by Qatar for Boeing aircraft, as well as letters of intent and "joint cooperation" between Qatar and the U.S. The emir also signed an intent agreement to purchase MQ-9 drone aircraft. Al Thani said he had a "great" conversation with Trump prior to the signing ceremony on Wednesday, adding that the agreements have elevated the U.S.-Qatar relationship to "another level." U.S. relations with Doha have come a long way since 2017, when Trump accused Qatar of harboring terrorism: "The nation of Qatar, unfortunately, has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level," Trump said at the time. From there, Qatar became a major non-NATO ally to the U.S. in 2022 under Biden and is home to Al Udeid Air Base, one of the U.S.'s largest Middle Eastern bases and a key hub for U.S. Central Command operations.
