Raytheon Coyote
Small, expendable UAS and counter-drone interceptor with autonomous swarm capability.
The Raytheon Coyote is a small, expendable drone built by RTX that can operate in autonomous swarms. Now in its third generation, it serves as an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance asset, a bomb-delivery platform, and a counter-drone interceptor for the U.S. Navy, Army, and NOAA.
The drone was originally developed by Advanced Ceramic Research (ACR) in Tucson, Arizona, under small-business contracts from the U.S. Office of Naval Research. BAE Systems bought ACR in 2009, then sold it back to a former owner under the name Sensintel. Raytheon acquired Sensintel in 2015 and folded it into its Missiles & Defense division. The Coyote first flew in 2007, launched from a Beechcraft C-12 Huron. The first-generation model was built to fit standard sonobuoy launchers, with folding wings, a propeller, and a 0.9 kg payload. NOAA later developed a weather-sensor package for it. After Raytheon took over, it upgraded the radio data links in 2016, improving weather-data collection. Raytheon then used the platform for the ONR’s Low-Cost UAV Swarming Technology program, proving multiple Coyotes could communicate as an autonomous swarm. NOAA’s funding ended around this time, shifting the drone from atmospheric research to combat roles.
Starting in 2016, Raytheon worked with the U.S. Army on a counter-UAS version. The first anti-UAS Coyote was similar in size to the original but carried a 1.8 kg payload and launched from a pneumatic box launcher. It weighed 5.9 kg, had a top speed of 130 km/h, and destroyed enemy drones by crashing into them or exploding nearby with a 1.8 kg warhead. By 2018, the Marine Corps used the Coyote Block 1 in its Ground-Based Air Defense system, pairing it with an RPS-42 radar, Modi electronic warfare system, and visual sensors. It could operate from forward bases or vehicles like the M-ATV or MRZR. In July 2018, the Army awarded Raytheon a contract for Coyote deliveries, starting that year. The Block 1B added a radio-frequency seeker and proximity warhead, working with Raytheon’s Ku-band radar (KuRFS), which could detect Class I drones out to 16 km and even a 9 mm bullet. In June 2019, the Coyote-KuRFS system, called Howler, reached initial operational capability after 17 months of development.
Raytheon then developed the Block 2, powered by a jet engine for higher speed and longer loiter.
Quick Facts
- Aircraft Type
- Small, expendable unmanned aerial vehicle, Loitering Munition, Interceptor drone
- National Origin
- United States
- Manufacturer
- Raytheon Company / Raytheon Technologies
- Primary User
- U.S. Army
- More Users
- National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (former)
- Service
- U.S Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corp
- Introduction
- 2014
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Advanced Ceramic Research of Tucson, Arizona, originally developed the Coyote, Manta and Silver Fox UAS under small business contracts from the U.S. Office of Naval Research. British defense contractor BAE Systems acquired the company in 2009, then sold it back to one of the former owners under the name Sensintel. Raytheon acquired Sensintel in 2015 and folded the company into its Tucson-based Raytheon Missiles & Defense business. The Coyote first flew in 2007 while still under ACR development, being launched from a Beechcraft C-12 Huron. This first generation was developed to meet specification from the Office of Naval Research for a drone that could be deployed using standard sonobuoy launchers. It had folding wings so it could fit in the launch tube, carried a 0.9 kg payload and was propeller driven. NOAA became involved as an additional customer and developed a sensor package for the drone to collect weather data.
After being acquired by Raytheon the radio data links were significantly upgraded in 2016 improving its abilities to collect weather data. Raytheon also used the platform for its entry in the ONR's Low-Cost UAV Swarming Technology (LOCUST) program and it was determined that multiple Coyotes could communicate with each other to function as an autonomous swarm. This corresponded with NOAA's funding for the Coyote coming to an end and represent the transition of the platform from atmospheric data collection to combat applications. Starting in 2016 Raytheon worked with the U.S. Army to develop a new version of the Coyote with a counter unmanned air system (C-UAS) capability to intercept other small UAVs. The first generation of Coyote Anti-UAS was similar in size to the original model developed for the Navy but could hold a 1.8 kg payload and was deployed from a pneumatic box launcher. It had a maximum speed of 81 mph (130 km/h). It weighs 13 lb (5.9 kg) and delivers a kinetic effect by crashing into enemy drones or exploding near them and dispersing blast fragments from its 4 lb (1.8 kg) warhead.
Reader's Guide
The Coyote's significance lies in its evolution from a weather reconnaissance drone to a multi-role combat system, including autonomous swarm operations and counter-drone interception. Its development under the ONR's LOCUST program demonstrated that multiple Coyotes could communicate and function as an autonomous swarm, a key capability for modern drone warfare. The system's use by NOAA for hurricane data collection (2014–2017) and subsequent transition to military applications highlights its adaptability. The Coyote Block 2, with a jet engine and improved speed (345–370 mph), was designed to engage larger and further targets, and its low cost (estimated $100,000 per unit) makes it suitable for use against large drone swarms. The Block 3/Coyote LE SR variant introduced a non-kinetic warhead for reduced collateral damage and reusability, and was successfully test-fired from an M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle and a Bell 407 helicopter in 2025. The U.S. Army's plans to purchase 6,700 Coyote interceptors from 2025–2029 for the M-LIDS and FS-LIDS systems underscore its role as a cornerstone of U.S. ground-based air defense against small unmanned aircraft.
Did You Know?
- NOAA used the original Coyote weather drone to collect data in hurricanes from 2014 to 2017.
- The Coyote Block 2 has a maximum speed of 345–370 mph (555–595 km/h) and can engage threats at ranges of 10–15 km.
- In March 2025, a Coyote LE SR was test-fired from an unmodified M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle's TOW missile launcher.
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