UPDATE: War Zone has published an important relevant update to this article by revealing 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 ... specifically, 50 air-to-air anti-drone engagement opportunities. For details, see F-15E Armed With Drone Killing Laser-Guided Rockets Appears In Middle East
In an interesting and detailed article concentrating primarily on F-15Es, War Zone reports that a recent in-flight photo of a test F-15E indicates a weapons loading that would turn it into “a flying counter-drone and cruise missile arsenal ship capable of an incredible 50 engagement opportunities, minus the gun.” [Ref 1] The photo shows three rocket pods on one wing carrying 7 rockets each. A symmetric rocket load plus eight other air-to-air missiles produces the stated 50-engagement potential. The article describes the rockets (known as APKWS II), their capabilities (usable against drones and subsonic cruise missiles, not dogfighting, plus some air-to-ground value), and their relatively low costs in comparison to air-to-air missiles (unit price a few thousand dollars over ~ $15,000 - $20,000, whereas current generation AIM-9X Sidewinders each cost ~ $450,000, while the latest AIM-120 variants are $1 million or more). The rocket-F-15E portion concludes with potential improvements, past drone-war experience, the recent sending of F-15Es to Diego Garcia for force protection, and clear signs these fighters are in line to get an important firepower boost.
BUT, WAIT! As part of the closing, a sudden jump to F-15EX: “All of this also applies at least equally, if not more so, to the Air Force’s incoming F-15EX Eagle II aircraft … expected to be used primarily in the homeland air defense role ... at least initially. … The cost exchange afforded by APKWS rockets–and the flexibility and magazine depth by putting them on the F-15E/X–should make a meaningful difference.” As background, purchase of the F-15EX has received both criticism (e.g., lack of stealth) and praise (modernization for US National Guard forces). Original numbers of Air Force F-15EX buys have been reduced, yet Boeing recently confirmed plans to expand production of F-15EXs. [Ref 2] In addition to a US air defense role, F-15EXs are planned to replace older F-15s in Japan.
Yes, adding the above drone-killing feature to F-15EXs could be helpful. However, the extent to which that upgrade “should make a meaningful difference” to the F-15EX program is now undetermined against the much larger backdrop of all Air Force aircraft development and procurement programs (including the new F-47), the future CONUS air defense network, overseas deployments-purchases, and current plans for defending America and its global interests against serious missile attacks.
References
1. F-15E Spotted Packing Big Laser-Guided Rocket Arsenal Ideal For Drone Hunting
2. The West’s Heaviest and Oldest Fighter: Why is Boeing Expanding F-15EX Production?
