THIS is the moment RAF jets blast a drone out of the sky with new Precision Kill missiles – to be used in the battle against Iran.
Incredible footage shows a squadron of Typhoon jets deploying the missile as they lock onto a target.
Sign up for The Jattvibe newsletter
Thank you!
The technology is able to target enemy drones with pinpoint accuracy Credit: MOD
The weapons system has already been deployed to the Middle East Credit: MOD
The missile streaks out of sight as it chases the drone at high speed.
The target then appears on the jet’s view finder as the explosive closes in.
The drone is instantly destroyed in a flash of light as the missile detonates on impact.
According to the Ministry of Defence, Britain will be better protected against drone attacks following the rapid development of the system.
WAR TALK
Trump warns ‘decimation’ of Iran to go on & says Xi is losing patience with regime
POWER PLAY
Trump & Xi’s body language secrets revealed in their era-defining crunch talks
The missile is low-cost alternative to other missiles Credit: Getty
The low-cost anti-drone missile has already been used in Middle East operations.
The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) allows fighter jets to destroy targets with deadly accuracy.
A laser from the aircraft illuminates the target.
The rocket then detects the reflected laser energy and adjusts its flight mid-air to home in.
Crucially, it comes at a fraction of the cost of traditional air-to-air missiles.
Each rocket reportedly costs around £2,000.
Despite its low price, the missile can reach speeds of around 700 metres per second, equivalent to Mach 2.
The entire rocket weighs around 15kg with the guidance system coming it at 5kg.
RAF Typhoon Jets are now armed with Precision Kill missiles Credit: MOD
Its light payload means fighter jets can carry more ammunition Credit: MOD
This compact design also allows aircraft to carry significantly more ammunition.
Rapid procurement and testing by the Ministry of Defence enabled the system to reach operational readiness in under two months.
In March, a successful test was carried out on a ground-based target.
RAF Typhoon pilots from 41 Test and Evaluation Squadron then conducted successful air-to-air firing in April.
Officials say the results underline its effectiveness in countering drone threats at scale.
In the Middle East, the system has been deployed in operations responding to Iran-linked drone and UAV activity.
However, there are some drawbacks such as shorter range than other air-to-air missiles.
Its also has limited effectiveness in bad weather or when targets are obscured.
