Following the approval of Coyote Block 2’s sale to allied nations in 2020, the improved variant Coyote Block 2+, tested in 2022, has been put into exhibition at the WDS 2024, Saudi Arabia.
Coyote Block 2+ is a low-cost loitering solution against small to MALE-type UAVs. Development can be traced back to the propeller-driven Coyote Block 1, which serves a similar purpose.
The UAV is launched like a missile from a rail or canister with small rockets and continues towards the target with feed from ground radars and onboard RF seekers. The small warhead provides the needed lethality against larger UAVs.
Unlike MANPADS such as FIM-92 Stinger, Coyote Block 2+ can re-engage a target and has more room for manoeuvres due to lower cruise speed. The interceptor can reach a speed of 555 km/h, a range of 15 km, and has a loiter time of four minutes.
Coyote Block 2 was integrated into Oshkosh JLTV 4x4 vehicle and a fixed platform. The integration is done with a four-cell launcher of an identical size to Stinger launchers used on low-altitude air defence systems.
Raytheon is also developing Coyote Block 3 from Coyote Block 1 with a “non-kinetic” warhead with the same propeller-driven layout, suggesting a jammer or high-power electromagnetic (HPEM) payload that disables electronics. The U.S. is working on directed HPEM weapons as an alternative for dealing with UAV threats, particularly swarms.
