Raytheon’s Tube-Launched Expendable System “Most Capable in Class”
The US Army has announced its selection of Raytheon’s COYOTE UAS and the Ku-band (10.7-12.75 Gigahertz/GHz) Radio Frequency System (KRFS) radar for its near-term counter- unmanned aerial systems (UAS) mission. The urgent nature of the operational need means the Army is expected to use COYOTE as a counter-UAS solution before the end of the year.
The small, expendable, tube-launched COYOTEs, described by the manufacturer as, “the most capable UAS in its class,” can be deployed from the ground, air or a ship; flown individually or netted together in swarms; and are adaptable for a variety of missions including surveillance, electronic warfare and strike. Featuring an advanced seeker and warhead, the system can successfully identify and eliminate threat UAS when paired with an advanced electronically scanned array KRFS radar, which acquires and accurately tracks all sizes of UAS threats.
In addition to DoD missions, the versatile COYOTE is also being used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for hurricane tracking and modelling. Raytheon is finalising development of advanced COYOTE variants that will fly faster and farther.
The KRFS radar in use today is a multi-mission radar providing rocket, artillery and mortar, sense and warn, and counter-UAS mission capabilities. Its accuracy enables significant UAS mission performance including precision fire control and UAS swarm scenarios at tactically significant distances. Raytheon has delivered 40 KRFS radars to date, with more than 32 already deployed by the Army. The system continues to be upgraded in order to extend capability and ensure support of the soldier beyond 2025.
“Enemy unmanned aircraft are among the biggest threats facing our ground troops today,” commented Raytheon Advanced Missile Systems Vice President, Dr. Thomas Bussing. “Our small, expendable COYOTE provides the Army with an affordable and highly effective solution for countering the growing UAS threat.”
“The warfighter needs a complete mission solution to successfully counter UAS threats,” added Raytheon Mission Systems and Sensors Vice President, Dave Gulla. “Our quickly transportable system that tracks low-swarming threats with KRFS and eliminates those threats with COYOTE, is a game changer for the US Army.”