On January 16, 2024, the U.S. Army issued a contract to RTX Corporation, totaling $75 million, to manufacture 600 Coyote 2C Interceptors to bolster the U.S. counter-unmanned aircraft systems mission directly.

This contract award falls under the rapid acquisition authority of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, as communicated to Congress, with all necessary actions executed within less than 30 days from the approval of authorization and receipt of funding.

The contract is specifically geared toward meeting the heightened demand for Coyote Interceptors and the subsequent necessity to enhance production capacity.

The Coyote plays a pivotal role within the broader counter-unmanned aircraft systems (counter-UAS) system of systems. It serves as a ground-launched interceptor guided by radar, offering kinetic and non-kinetic variants. The Coyote seamlessly integrates into fixed-site low, slow, small-unmanned aircraft system integrated defeat systems, as well as mobile-slow, small-unmanned aircraft system integrated defeat systems.

This initiative was spearheaded by the Army’s Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space, working in collaboration with various components across the Department of Defense (DOD). (Reference)

Post Image Credit: U.S. Army