항공무장 공대공 유도로켓을 단 타이푼

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When Computers Went To Sea | 드론과 샤헤드 요격을 위해 유도로켓을 테스트중인 라팔 - Daum 카페

드론과 샤헤드 요격을 위해 유도로켓을 테스트중인 라팔

When Computers Went To Sea | 샤헤드 잡는 유도 로켓 달고 초계하는 F-16 - Daum 카페

샤헤드 잡는 유도 로켓 달고 초계하는 F-16

라팔과 F-16에 이어 영국 공군의 타이푼도 공대공 APKWS를 달고 비행하네요. 시험에서 실전배치까지 두 달이 걸렸다고 합니다. 

RAF Typhoon, 중동 지역 드론 대응 위해 APKWS 로켓 장착
작성자
Ian Molyneaux
편집
Clement Charpentreau
10시간 전
DefenseRAF Eurofighter Typhoon BAE Systems AKPWS

BAE Systems

영국 공군(RAF)의 Eurofighter Typhoon 전투기에 중동 지역 드론 대응을 위한 새로 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System(APKWS)이 장착되었다.

2026년 5월 17일 영국 국방부(MOD)는 이 저비용 미사일 체계가 목표물을 정밀하게 파괴할 수 있으며, 다른 무기 대비 “훨씬 낮은 비용”으로 운용 가능하다고 발표했다.

시험에서 중동 실전 배치까지 두 달

BAE Systems와 QinetiQ가 개발한 APKWS는 중동 분쟁에 대응하기 위해 시험 단계에서 실전 배치까지 2개월도 채 걸리지 않았다.

2026년 3월 지상 목표물에 대한 시험 사격이 성공적으로 실시되었고, 다음 달 RAF 제41 시험평가비행대 소속 Typhoon 조종사들이 공대공 발사 시험에 성공하면서 드론 공격 방어 능력이 입증되었다.

Eurofighter Typhoon은 가장 기동성이 뛰어난 전투기 가운데 하나다
RAF

국방 대비태세 및 산업 담당 장관 Luke Pollard는 “수개월 만에 산업계와 협력해 이 체계를 시험하고 배치한 것은 대단한 성과이며, RAF가 훨씬 더 낮은 비용으로 더 많은 드론을 격추할 수 있게 해줄 것”이라고 말했다.

MOD에 따르면 이 체계는 이미 중동 작전에 배치되었으며, RAF 제9비행대 Typhoon이 출격 임무를 수행하고 있다.

Air 11 Group 부작전국장 Donal McGurk 공군준장은 “Typhoon 운용을 위한 이 미사일 체계 배치 뒤에 있는 빠른 개발 속도와 철저한 시험을 환영한다. 이는 우리가 이미 중동 전역에서 유연하게 운용 중인 방공 패키지에 가치 있는 추가 요소”라고 말했다.

대드론 임무를 위한 저비용 정밀 옵션

APKWS는 레이저 표적지정 체계를 사용해 비유도 로켓을 저비용 정밀무기로 전환하며, 적 드론과 기타 위협을 격추할 수 있다.

2026년 5월 초 미국 공군(USAF)은 General Atomics Aeronautical Systems(GA-ASI)와 함께 MQ-9A Reaper를 이용해 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System 비행시험을 실시한 바 있다.

영국 항공기들은 계속해서 중동 전역에서 작전을 수행하고 있으며, 조종사와 승무원들의 누적 비행시간은 지역 분쟁 시작 이후 2,500시간을 넘어섰다. 이는 방어 임무 기준 3개월 이상 연속 비행에 해당하는 수준이다.

영국의 다른 방산 자산들도 걸프 지역 파트너 지원을 위해 배치되었다. 여기에는 사우디아라비아의 Sky Sabre 체계, 바레인의 Lightweight Multirole Missile, 쿠웨이트의 Rapid Sentry 및 ORCUS 체계가 포함된다.

RAF Typhoons get APKWS rockets for drone defense

RAF Typhoons get APKWS rockets for drone defense

RAF Typhoons fitted with APKWS rockets to counter drones in Middle East

ByIan Molyneaux

Edited ByClement Charpentreau

10 hours ago

Defense

BAE Systems

British Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons have been equipped with new Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) to combat drones in the Middle East.

On May 17, 2026, the UK’s Ministry of Defense (MOD) announced that the low-cost missile system can destroy targets precisely and at a “fraction of the price” of other weaponry.

From testing to Middle East operations in two months

Developed by defense partners BAE Systems and QinetiQ, the APKWS moved from testing to deployment on operations in less than two months in response to the conflict in the Middle East.

In March 2026, a successful test strike was fired on a ground-based target, and RAF Typhoon pilots from 41 Test and Eval‎uation Squadron conducted successful air-to-air firing the following month, demonstrating the system’s ability to defend against drone attacks.

RAF

“This has been a superb effort working with industry to test and deploy this system in a matter of months, which will help the RAF shoot down many more drones at a much lower cost,” said Minister for Defense Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard.

According to the MOD, the system has already been deployed on operations in the Middle East with sorties flown by 9 Squadron RAF Typhoons.

“We welcome the speed of development and meticulous testing behind the deployment of these missile systems for use on our Typhoons. They are a valuable addition to the air defense package we are already employing with agility across the Middle East,” said Air Commodore Donal McGurk, Air 11 Group Deputy Director Operations.

Low-cost precision option for counter-drone missions

The APKWS uses a laser targeting system which turns unguided missiles into low-cost precision weapons able to take down enemy drones and other threats.

Earlier in May 2026, the United States Air Force (USAF) together with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) conducted flight tests of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System using a MQ-9A Reaper.

UK aircraft continue to operate across the Middle East with pilots and aircrew surpassing 2,500 flying hours since the conflict in the region began – equivalent to over three months of continuous flying on defensive missions.

Other UK defense assets have also been deployed to support Gulf partners, including the Sky Sabre system in Saudi Arabia, the Lightweight Multirole Missile in Bahrain, and the Rapid Sentry and ORCUS systems in Kuwait.

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