The U.S. government has cleared Raytheon Company to sell the Coyote Block 2 counter-drone weapon to approved allied nations as part of the Howler counter-drone system.
In 2019, the U.S. Army deployed Howler, a combination of the Ku-band Radio Frequency System and Coyote Block 1, into the battlefield.
Raytheon say that the high-speed, highly maneuverable Block 2 is designed to use Raytheon’s KuRFS multi-mission radar as its fire control source.
“Delivering this enhanced version of the combat-proven Coyote strengthens our allies’ defenses against enemy drones,” said Sam Deneke, Raytheon Land Warfare Systems vice president. “Block 2 is fast, effective and protects troops on the battlefield.”
Raytheon recently completed developmental, operational and customer acceptance testing on the Coyote Block 2 variant. Powered by a jet engine, the new weapon can be launched from the ground to destroy drones and other aerial threats.
“The KuRFS radar gives soldiers unprecedented vision of individual drones,” said Bryan Rosselli, vice president of Raytheon Mission Systems and Sensors.
“The ability to quickly and clearly detect, track and discriminate the threat leads to positive identification, and makes the Coyote all the more precise in its ability to intercept drones.”
Raytheon expects to achieve full-rate production of Coyote Block 2 in 2020.
UK Strike Division surely needs something like this.
They need appropriate strike platforms first!!
…In the right numbers with the right weaponry!
Could our existing Foxhounds fulfil this role for the Strike Brigades?
The vehicle in the photo looks similar.
Retaining Husky would make more sense for this. But what is not made clear is why this system is different from any VSHORAD system. It has a radar. It uses a missile. Is it substantially cheaper than using Stinger? Stinger is actually pretty cheap. And what about using a gun system to make it even cheaper in some engagements? If you’re going to make a counter UAS system, why not make make it a proper VSHORAD system and use it against all aerial threats? Or at least combine some systems to take full advantage of an expensive sensor. Add on… Read more »