March 20- 2025
Washington, D.C. – The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced that U.S. fighter aircraft successfully intercepted and destroyed Iran-backed Houthi drones using AGR-20 FALCO Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guided rockets.
In a video released by CENTCOM, the military confirmed that the drones were one-way attack systems, a tactic frequently used by Yemen’s Houthi rebels to target regional adversaries and international interests. The engagement underscores continued U.S. efforts to counter Houthi threats in the region, particularly in the Red Sea and surrounding areas, where the group has intensified its attacks in recent months.
The APKWS system, a precision-guided 2.75-inch rocket, provides U.S. forces with an effective and cost-efficient means of neutralizing aerial threats. The use of this technology highlights the Pentagon’s evolving air defense strategies against drone warfare, a growing concern in modern conflicts.
This latest interception comes amid heightened tensions between Iran-backed groups and U.S. forces in the Middle East. The U.S. President Trump administration has repeatedly condemned Houthi aggression, emphasizing the need to protect regional stability and safeguard critical shipping routes.
CENTCOM has not disclosed the specific location of the engagement, but it follows a series of U.S. military actions targeting Houthi positions in response to their ongoing drone and missile strikes. The situation remains fluid as Washington and its allies assess further security measures in the region.
