Raytheon has successfully conducted a helicopter-based test of its latest unmanned aerial system (UAS), the Coyote Low-Explosive Small Radar (LE SR). Designed for a broad range of missions, including reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (RSTA), electronic warfare, precision strike, and tactical communications, this marks the first deployment of the Coyote LE SR from a rotary-wing platform. This development follows earlier demonstrations from various launch platforms, with further testing scheduled to continue throughout 2025.
The Coyote LE SR introduces collaborative autonomy functionality, allowing the system to interact with nearby sensors and platforms in real-time. This capability enables the system to adapt to evolving battlefield conditions and autonomously modify mission tactics based on situational inputs. Such enhancements are designed to improve mission effectiveness and survivability in complex combat environments.
This milestone follows Raytheon’s participation in the U.S. Army’s Experimental Demonstration Gateway Event (EDGE) in October 2024. During this event, Raytheon and Collins Aerospace, both under RTX, showcased advanced autonomy systems designed for launched effects. Collins Aerospace demonstrated its RapidEdge mission system, which facilitates multi-UAV coordination, while Raytheon showcased autonomy technologies derived from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Collaborative Operations in Denied Environment (CODE) program. These demonstrations validated the interoperability of autonomy-enabled systems using open architectures and mesh networks, under the sponsorship of the U.S. Army Futures Command’s Future Vertical Lift Cross Functional Team.
The Coyote LE SR builds upon earlier iterations of the Coyote system, which have been extensively utilized in counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) roles. Previous variants, including the Block 1B and Block 2 models, were employed to intercept drones using kinetic methods, such as proximity warheads and direct collisions. The Block 2 model introduced a jet engine, enabling speeds of up to 595 kilometers per hour for rapid target engagement.
In 2024, Raytheon unveiled the Block 2+ variant at the World Defense Show in Saudi Arabia. This version featured enhancements such as a thrust jet engine, data link, MP-7U guidance unit, and adaptive autopilot. Capable of intercepting Group 1 to Group 3 UAS threats beyond 10 kilometers, the Block 2+ is optimized for engaging both individual drones and drone swarms while reducing engagement timelines.
Coyote systems are typically paired with Raytheon’s Ku-band Radio Frequency Sensor (KuRFS), which provides critical detection and tracking of low, slow, and small UAS threats. KuRFS can identify Class I UAS threats at distances up to 16 kilometers and track objects as small as 9 mm. This combination of KuRFS and Coyote interceptors serves as the foundation of the U.S. Army’s Low, slow, small, unmanned aircraft Integrated Defeat System (LIDS).
LIDS configurations are available in both fixed-site (FS-LIDS) and mobile (M-LIDS) variants. FS-LIDS incorporates palletized Coyote launchers and sensor arrays, while M-LIDS platforms are mounted on M-ATVs, integrating electro-optical sensors, KuRFS radar, and two-round Coyote launchers. These configurations enhance the military’s ability to counter emerging drone threats in diverse operational environments.
Originally developed by Advanced Ceramic Research in Arizona, the Coyote system has undergone multiple ownership changes before Raytheon’s acquisition in 2015. Initially designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, the system has since evolved into a versatile UAS capable of both kinetic and non-kinetic operations.
Non-kinetic variants, such as the Block 3 model under contract with the U.S. Navy since February 2021, are designed for electronic warfare and directed energy applications. These versions can be recovered and reused, adding to their operational versatility. Block 3 Coyotes can be launched from unmanned surface or underwater vehicles, expanding their mission applicability.
The U.S. Army has actively procured Coyote systems through multiple contracts. In January 2024, RTX secured a $75 million contract to produce 600 Coyote 2C interceptors. In April 2024, a separate $237 million contract was awarded to supply KuRFS and Coyote systems for use in U.S. Central Command operations. In September 2024, the Department of Defense announced a $197 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract with Raytheon for additional Coyote systems, with work scheduled through September 30, 2027. Additionally, the Army’s fiscal year 2025 budget request allocates $116.3 million for further Coyote interceptor procurement.
Looking ahead, the Army plans to acquire a minimum of 6,000 Coyote Block 2 kinetic interceptors and 700 non-kinetic Block 3 interceptors between 2025 and 2029. This acquisition will also include 252 fixed-site launcher systems, 25 mobile launchers, 118 fixed-site KuRFS units, and 33 mobile KuRFS units. The integration of these systems aligns with the Army’s broader strategy to enhance maneuver short-range air defense (M-SHORAD) and develop a comprehensive counter-drone system of systems.
Coyote interceptors have already seen operational deployment in multiple roles. Notably, NOAA has utilized the system for hurricane data collection, while the U.S. military has leveraged Coyote for counter-UAS missions. In 2022, the U.S. approved the sale of 10 FS-LIDS systems, including 200 Coyote Block 2s, to Qatar under a $1 billion agreement. In December 2023, the Army confirmed plans to procure 6,700 Coyote interceptors through 2029, highlighting sustained demand for the system’s capabilities.
Raytheon’s continued innovation with the Coyote LE SR and its integration into diverse operational platforms marks a significant advancement in UAS technology. The recent helicopter-based demonstration underscores the system’s adaptability and effectiveness in modern warfare scenarios. With further testing planned through 2025 and a robust procurement strategy in place, the Coyote platform is set to play a crucial role in future military operations, reinforcing its status as a key asset in the evolving landscape of defense technology.
