// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM
Coyote Interceptor
The Coyote Interceptor is a small, jet-powered drone designed to find and destroy hostile unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). It can be launched from various platforms and is used as a defensive weapon to protect against drone swarms and other aerial threats.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
The Raytheon Coyote Interceptor is an expendable, tube-launched unmanned aircraft system (UAS) designed for counter-UAS (C-UAS) missions, functioning as a kinetic effector. Equipped with an advanced seeker and warhead, this jet-powered drone can operate in swarms to detect, track, and defeat Group 1-3 enemy drones as part of a layered air defense architecture.
BACKGROUND
The Raytheon Coyote is a small, expendable, unmanned aircraft system built by the Raytheon Company, with the capability of operating in autonomous swarms. It is launched from a sonobuoy canister with the wings deploying in early flight phase.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- C-UAS drone
- kinetic interceptor
- counter-drone effector
- expendable UAS
- loitering interceptor
- Coyote Block 2
- Coyote Block 3
USAGE NOTE
The Coyote is a key component of the US Army's Howler C-UAS system, where it is paired with the KuRFS radar for targeting.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Coyote Interceptor.
The primary developer and manufacturer of the Coyote unmanned aircraft system, including its interceptor variants (Block 1, 2, and 3) used for counter-drone missions.
Develops the Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (FAAD C2) system, which is the core command and control software used by the U.S. Army to integrate sensors and effectors, including the Coyote interceptor, for counter-UAS operations.
As a key government partner, this research and development center works on the requirements, testing, and integration of missile and UAS technologies like the Coyote into the Army's layered air defense architecture.
Manufactures sensor systems, such as the AN/TPQ-50 counterfire radar, which are used in counter-UAS systems to detect, track, and classify small drone threats that the Coyote interceptor is tasked to defeat.
A direct competitor that develops related technology, including the Roadrunner autonomous interceptor, for the counter-UAS mission, representing an alternative kinetic effector to the Coyote.
Develops advanced seeker technology, precision guidance kits (like APKWS), and electronic warfare systems that are critical for detecting and defeating small UAS threats, the same mission set as the Coyote.
Integrates comprehensive air defense systems, such as the Integrated Mission-Short-Range Air Defense (IM-SHORAD), which incorporates various sensors and kinetic effectors to counter UAS threats, operating within the same defense ecosystem as the Coyote.