How one F-16 can take down 28 missiles or drones in a single sortie – Defense Express

Defense Express explains this. 

Currently, the record for an F-16 is six cruise missiles in one sortie, set by a Ukrainian Air Force pilot. But with the right upgrades, that number could reach 28 — or more.

According to Defense Express, the key lies in 70mm APKWS missiles, which have been proven effective against drones since 2019. The U.S. Air Force has already used F-16s with APKWS to repel drone attacks, reports the article. Ukraine has also demonstrated their effectiveness, with its Navy recently using APKWS to shoot down a Kh-59 missile from a ground launcher.

To equip the F-16 for this mission, four components are needed:

1. APKWS or similar 70mm laser-guided missiles (like Thales’ FZ275, soon to be produced in Ukraine).
2. LAU-131/A launch blocks, each carrying seven missiles. Up to six blocks could be mounted per jet.
3. Targeting pods like Litening or Sniper for laser guidance. Without these, “APKWS will not work at all or will become unguided.”
4. Multi-lock pylons to maximize missile loadout.

Another option is using a second F-16 to handle target illumination, easing the pilot’s workload. With these upgrades, Ukraine’s F-16s could become powerful missile interceptors, taking down dozens of threats in a single flight, Defense Express concludes.