Belgium trials F-16s with laser-guided rockets for C-UAS role

Belgium is trialling the use of the Forges de Zeebrugge (FZ)/Thales FZ275 70 mm laser-guided rocket (LGR) for the C-UAS role, evaluating the weapon aboard its F-16 combat aircraft. (Forges de Zeebrugge (FZ)/Thales)

Belgium is trialling the use of its Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft armed with laser-guided rockets for the counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) role.

The Belgian Directorate General Material Resources disclosed the tests on 11 March. It said that an image posted online some days earlier showing a Belgian Air Force (BAF) F-16AM carrying six seven-shot LAU-131 launchers for the Forges de Zeebrugge (FZ)/Thales FZ275 70 mm laser-guided rocket (LGR) was related to C-UAS trials.

“Attack-drones pose a major and cost-effective threat in recent conflicts. Our Belgian Air Force is therefore testing laser-guided 70 mm rockets, including the Belgian FZ275 LGR from Thales, to efficiently neutralise attack-drones,” the directorate said, adding, “During recent conflicts, we have seen that inexpensive attack drones can cause immense damage. Deploying traditional air defence systems against this type of threat is often extremely expensive.”

As noted in its disclosure, the Belgian Directorate General Material Resources is looking to integrate both the Belgian-built FZ275 LGR and the US-built BAE Systems Inc. AGR-20F Falco Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) that utilises the same launcher (but which is not currently in the Belgian inventory). The AGR-20F is optimised for the air-to-air role, with the F designator lending the rocket its Falco moniker, which stands for Fixed-Wing, Air-Launched Counter-UAS Ordnance.