The U.S. Army has revealed plans to upscale its inventory of Coyote interceptors, launchers, and radars within the next five years. This initiative includes procuring 6,000 jet-powered Block 2 variants, armed with explosive warheads for precise target elimination, alongside an additional 700 Block 3 versions designed with unspecified “non-kinetic” payloads. The disclosed procurement details spanning Fiscal Years 2025 through 2029 emerged via a contracting notice, hinting at an anticipated sole-source contract with manufacturer Raytheon. Alongside the interceptor acquisitions, the Army seeks to acquire 252 fixed launchers, 52 mobile launchers, 118 fixed Ku-band radars, and 33 mobile radars. Raytheon’s obligations under the contract encompass support for maintenance and repair of at least 15 Coyote systems in domestic as well as undisclosed global locations.
Although specific cost projections were omitted from the announcement, reports suggest a unit price of approximately $100,000 for a Block 2 Coyote. This relatively lower cost compared to traditional surface-to-air missiles implies a potential procurement value of up to $670 million for the envisaged 6,700 interceptors. Distinguished by its distinct missile-like configuration and jet propulsion system, the Block 2 Coyote represents a substantial departure from its predecessor, the original Block 1 design, which surfaced in 2018. This iteration employs a small radar seeker for precise targeting, with a more advanced Block 2+ variant boasting an enhanced seeker system. Conversely, the Block 3, undergoing testing since at least 2020, retains the original Coyote’s electric motor-driven pusher propeller. Raytheon has remained tight-lipped about the nature of its “non-kinetic” payload but has highlighted its capability to engage multiple drone types concurrently.
Raytheon asserts the recoverability and refurbishment potential of Coyote Block 3s, distinguishing them from the single-use design of Block 2 interceptors. The Army has reportedly deployed Block 2 Coyotes, including in the Middle East, with instances of their deployment to thwart drone attacks on U.S. outposts in Syria. However, it remains uncertain whether Block 3 versions have seen active deployment. Presently, the Army operates mobile and fixed Coyote counter-drone systems, denoted as the Mobile, Low, Slow, Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System (M-LIDS) and Fixed Site LIDS (FS-LIDS). M-LIDS configurations comprise a 4×4 M-ATV vehicle armed with a two-round Coyote launcher and a 30mm XM914 automatic cannon. Equipped with electro-optical sensors and mast-mounted Ku-band radar, these vehicles possess the capacity to track and neutralize incoming drones.
Discussions have circulated regarding consolidating these capabilities onto a singular platform, potentially utilizing the 8×8 Stryker armored vehicle. Meanwhile, the FS-LID system, presented as a palletized setup, includes a four-round Coyote launcher and a sensor array on one pallet, complemented by a Ku-band radar on another. While similar in design, the FS-LID radar outstrips its M-LIDS counterpart in size and capability. Ambiguities persist regarding whether the Army’s procurement strategy encompasses improved M-LIDS or FS-LIDS configurations, including the prospect of a Stryker-based M-LIDS variant. The discrepancy between the number of mobile radars and launchers raises queries, potentially indicating a linkage between fixed site launchers and a solitary radar. Furthermore, the potential integration of M-LIDS and FS-LIDS with external sensors and various effectors remains a topic under consideration.
