Coyote counter-UAS test launch (Image source: RTX/US Army)
In the ever-twisting saga of modern warfare, where the sky has turned into a new battleground, the US Army has rolled the dice in a big way.
They’ve inked a deal with RTX Corporation, shelling out a remarkable $75 million for a battalion of 600 Coyote 2C drone interceptors.
This isn’t just another line item in the defense budget; it’s a clarion call to action in the face of a sky growing thick with unmanned aerial threats.
A Rapid Response to Emerging Threats
We’re not talking hypotheticals here.
The Iran-backed Houthis lobbing attacks at US naval assets in the Red Sea, not to mention a drone strike that took out three of our own in Jordan, have made it crystal clear: the drone threat isn’t looming on the horizon; it’s knocking at our door.
The Coyote 2C contract is the Army’s answer, a rapid-fire response to an urgent and deadly serious challenge.
The speed at which this deal was struck is nothing short of impressive.
In less than a month from the word “go,” the Army had the contract locked and loaded, a testament to the rapid acquisition authority pulling out all the stops to keep our forces ahead of the curve.
In the ever-twisting saga of modern warfare, where the sky has turned into a new battleground, the US Army has rolled the dice in a big way.
They’ve inked a deal with RTX Corporation, shelling out a remarkable $75 million for a battalion of 600 Coyote 2C drone interceptors.
This isn’t just another line item in the defense budget; it’s a clarion call to action in the face of a sky growing thick with unmanned aerial threats.
A Rapid Response to Emerging Threats
We’re not talking hypotheticals here.
The Iran-backed Houthis lobbing attacks at US naval assets in the Red Sea, not to mention a drone strike that took out three of our own in Jordan, have made it crystal clear: the drone threat isn’t looming on the horizon; it’s knocking at our door.
The Coyote 2C contract is the Army’s answer, a rapid-fire response to an urgent and deadly serious challenge.
The speed at which this deal was struck is nothing short of impressive.
In less than a month from the word “go,” the Army had the contract locked and loaded, a testament to the rapid acquisition authority pulling out all the stops to keep our forces ahead of the curve.
A $75 million contract has been awarded to defense firm RTX Corp. to produce 600 Coyote Block 2C interceptors used to attack enemy drones, according to an Army news release.https://t.co/LnWEkHCT4O
But the ambition doesn’t stop at 600 interceptors.
The brass is eyeing a much bigger prize, with talk of stocking the arsenal with around 7,000 Coyotes, kitted out for both kinetic and non-kinetic warfare, alongside a suite of launchers and radars.
It’s a comprehensive plan to ensure that we’re ready to respond with precision and versatility no matter what the skies throw at us.
The Coyote’s Edge
Raytheon’s Coyote system is at the heart of this strategy, a marvel of military engineering designed to take the fight to the enemy’s drones.
The 2C variant is a hunter, a radar-guided missile with the chops to take down incoming threats with lethal accuracy, and for scenarios where a softer touch is called for, the Coyote 3 steps in, offering a non-kinetic option to neutralize drones without turning them into fireworks.
Discover how RTX's LIDS combines KuRFS radar and Coyote for unmatched UAS defense. pic.twitter.com/oJ6cMBtvb6
What makes the Coyote stand out isn’t just its firepower; it’s the system’s adaptability.
Whether mounted on a ground vehicle, slung under a chopper, or stationed on a ship’s deck, the Coyote is ready to roll, offering a plug-and-play solution to aerial threats across the board.
And with the ability to get its radar up and running in half an hour, it’s as nimble as it is deadly.
This contract isn’t just about buying missiles; it’s about sending a message.
Under the guidance of the Army’s Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space, and with backing from corners across the Department of Defense, it’s a unified front aimed at keeping our military a step ahead in an age where warfare is as likely to come from a drone as from a dugout.
Securing the Skies for Tomorrow
As the drone threat morphs and multiplies, staying ahead means more than just keeping the arsenal stocked; it means being ready to adapt, innovate, and strike back with precision.
The Coyote 2C deal is more than a purchase; it’s a pledge that we’re not about to let the skies become a no-man’s-land for our forces.
In a world where threats come not just from the ground but from the ether, the US Army’s bet on the Coyote 2C is a testament to our resolve.
It’s a promise that we’ll meet our adversaries wherever they may lurk, with technology, tactics, and tenacity.
And as we chart our course through the murky waters of 21st-century conflict, it’s deals like these that light our way, ensuring that when history asks if we are ready, the answer will be a resounding “Yes.”
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