The U.S. Navy’s USS Gerald R. Ford strike group is set to deploy later this year with enhanced counter-drone capabilities, integrating Raytheon’s Coyote and Anduril’s Roadrunner-M loitering interceptors aboard Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.
The decision to outfit Arleigh Burke-class destroyers with advanced interceptors stems in part from recent operations against Iranian-backed Houthi militants in the Red Sea. Since October 2023, Houthis have launched kamikaze drones and missiles at military and commercial targets, prompting the U.S. Navy to seek more cost-effective and versatile defensive solutions.
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Adm. Daryl Caudle, head of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, confirmed the addition of the two missile systems:
“We’re going to be deploying the Ford Strike Group with two additional missile systems on our destroyers – the Roadrunner system and the Coyote system – both specifically designed to go after UAVs,” he told reporters last week.
The Coyote Block 2 and Roadrunner-M interceptors are both jet-powered, featuring loitering capabilities to track and engage aerial threats. Roadrunner-M offers the additional advantage of returning to its launch point if unused. These systems rely on a combination of sensors and onboard seekers to lock onto their targets, improving efficiency in detecting and neutralizing enemy drones.
The Coyote Block 2 is currently fielded by the U.S. Army as part of its Low, Slow, Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System (LIDS), which has been deployed in the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Roadrunner-M has been used by U.S. special operations forces in a land-based capacity, though details remain classified.
How the Navy will integrate these systems onto Arleigh Burke-class destroyers remains unclear. It is unknown whether they will be tied into the ships’ Aegis Combat System, which currently manages the deployment of existing missile defense assets. When contacted for comment, Raytheon directed inquiries to Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), which has yet to provide further details.
The Arleigh Burke-class destroyers form the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s surface fleet, with 74 vessels currently in service. They are equipped with Mk 41 Vertical Launch Systems (VLS), capable of firing various missile types, including Standard Missile-2 (SM-2), Standard Missile-6 (SM-6), Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM), and Tomahawk cruise missiles. Some variants also feature RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) and Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS) for short-range defense.
In recent months, the Navy has expended significant missile resources in countering Houthi drone and missile attacks. Reports indicate that U.S. warships operating in the Red Sea have fired at least 120 SM-2s, 80 SM-6s, 20 ESSMs and 160 rounds from their 5-inch deck guns against aerial threats. The high cost of these missiles – ranging from $1 million for a RAM to nearly $29 million for an advanced SM-3 – has prompted a search for more cost-effective alternatives. Coyote and Roadrunner-M provide a lower-cost option while preserving effectiveness.
Capt. Mark Lawrence, commander of Destroyer Squadron Two (DESRON 2), emphasized the strategic benefits of these new interceptors:
“Coyote and Roadrunner are part of that attempt to get after the cost curve, give our commanding officers more options to engage the threat, and ultimately be more effective in defending the high-value unit,” he said.
As the USS Gerald R. Ford strike group prepares for deployment, the integration of Coyote and Roadrunner-M could provide a crucial additional layer of defense against evolving aerial threats.
Post Image Credit: US Navy
