See How the US Army Plans to Wipe Out Enemy Drones with Coyote Missiles

The US Army, with eyes wide open and sporting a steely gaze, has recently ramped up its game. The battlefield’s got a new player, and its name is Coyote—this isn’t your typical run-of-the-mill interceptor; it’s the answer to the sky’s latest menace: loitering munitions.

A New Arsenal for a New Threat

Now, listen closely. This isn’t just about putting another gun on the rack.

The Army’s laying down a hefty plan to rope in 6,000 Coyote Block II variants, each a hummingbird of death with explosive warheads ready to kiss those pesky drones goodbye.

But wait, there’s more.

We’re not just going kinetic; we’ve got our eyes on 700 Block III beauties, too, armed with non-kinetic payloads for when you want to take ’em down a notch without the fireworks.

US Army wants more 'Coyote' anti-drone interceptors by decade's endhttps://t.co/epBBesrnuA

— Interesting Engineering (@IntEngineering) December 23, 2023

This procurement dance isn’t just about the interceptors.

No, sir.

We’re talking a full ensemble with 252 fixed launchers, 52 mobile ones, and a chorus of radars to sing the tune of incoming threats.

It’s a setup that’s got ‘Don’t Tread on Me‘ written all over it, a fortress in the sky against those creeping, crawling, seemingly omnipresent drones.

Sure, Raytheon’s been the maestro so far, but Uncle Sam’s got an open mind.

If you’ve got the chops, interested firms “who believe they are capable,” then the government’s all ears.

Whichever outfit lands this gig, you better believe they’re in for a five-year sprint of production, integration, and testing, all without the usual tech blueprints.

This week, the US Army announced a major milestone in its anti-drone efforts, stating that it achieved its first "non-kinetic air-to-air damage" using #Coyote Block 3 drones.
Created by #Raytheon, Coyote is a small tubular launch unmanned aerial vehicle. pic.twitter.com/taRLLARooA

— Dana Levi דנה🇮🇱🇺🇸🇬🇧 (@Danale) July 27, 2021

It’s a high-stakes game of skill and innovation.

But let’s not forget, the world’s our stage, and this show’s on the road.

The chosen ones will need to keep these Coyotes howling from every corner of the globe, with boots on the ground at no less than 15 sites.

It’s a commitment, a pact to keep the lights on and the gears greased wherever freedom’s banner waves.

Coyote: Not Just Another Bullet in the Chamber

Now, the Coyote isn’t your garden-variety slingshot.

It’s a sleek, air-breathing missile that can launch from just about anywhere—trucks, choppers, ships, you name it.

Armed with Ku-band radar, it cuts through the clutter for a clear shot every time. It’s the sharpshooter in the sky, the hawk among sparrows.

A slow-mo montage of Raytheon Coyote taking down drones! Coyote 2 is #USArmy's interim counter-UAV system… cheap, simple, and effective! #avgeeks #aviation #aviationdaily #aviationlovers #UAV pic.twitter.com/aVpcLeB5LB

— Air Power (@RealAirPower1) July 21, 2023

Responding to the Evolving Battlefield

The rumble in the East, the clash between Russia and Ukraine, has been more than a spectacle; it’s been a wake-up call.

Those loitering munitions, those silent drifters of destruction, have shown us the chinks in our armor.

Battlefields have evolved, and so must we.

The Coyote’s our play, our move in this high-stakes chess game of war and wit.

Not to mention the recent drone assault at a military base in northern Iraq, where some of our boys and the rest of the coalition forces have been staying, which caused damages and injuries.

Though with swift retaliation, we can clearly see that the recent attack is not just a brazen act of aggression but a grim reminder of the evolving face of terror and conflict.

The injured at the base stand testament not merely to a physical wound but to a piercing, haunting question: how do we fight a foe that floats on the air, that slips through our fingers like mist?

The Dawn of a New Era in Defense

As the clock ticks toward that January deadline for proposals, the stage is set for a seismic shift in how we guard the heavens.

The Coyote expansion isn’t just an upgrade; it’s a declaration, a statement that we’re here, eyes open, fists clenched, ready to face whatever the skies throw our way.

In this world where the thud of boots on the ground is echoed by the buzz of drones above, staying one step ahead isn’t just strategy; it’s survival.

This augmentation of our aerial arsenal is a testament to our resolve, to our unyielding spirit in the face of the ever-morphing shadow of war.

We’re not just fighting the battles of today; we’re gearing up for the wars of tomorrow, where the frontline is as much in the clouds as it is in the mud with the blood.

With the Coyote howling into the sky, we’re sending a message loud and clear: the skies may be contested, but they’re never conceded.

In conclusion, my fellow warriors, tech enthusiasts, and patriots, let’s not mince words.

This Coyote expansion is more than a procurement move; it’s a battle cry, a rallying point for all who stand under the banner of freedom and security.

As we march toward this new horizon, let’s do so with our heads held high and our eyes on the skies, for in the crucible of innovation and the furnace of determination, we will carve out a future that’s safe, secure, and sovereign.

Onward to the dawn of a new era in defense, where the Coyote leads the pack, and the skies no longer whisper threats but sing songs of freedom and vigilance.