The US Navy has awarded Raytheon Technologies a $146.7 million design modification contract for the Coyote Block 3 unmanned aircraft system (UAS).
The Future Advanced Strike (FAST) effort includes “finalizing configurations and developing technical data packages, manufacturing test assets, testing for an enhanced payload air system, a new launch module, a fire control system and ancillary peculiar support equipment.”
Additional effort includes developmental flight tests, and operational demonstrations. The work is expected to be completed in December 2024.
Coyote Block 3 Drone
The small, expendable, tube-launched drone can be launched from ground, air, and naval vessels.
The US Navy’s Office of Naval Research intends to develop the unmanned surface and underwater vessels-launched drone for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike missions.
Non-Kinetic Capability
In July 2021, Raytheon demonstrated a non-kinetic warhead-equipped Coyote Block 3 defeating a swarm of drones.
“This test demonstrates the effectiveness of Coyote to counter complex, unmanned aircraft systems,” Raytheon vice president of Land Warfare & Air Defense Tom Laliberty said at the time.
“As a non-kinetic variant, we’re offering an effective weapon against the threat and value to the Army in the form of an affordable, reusable asset.”
In April 2022, Raytheon was awarded a $10 million contract modification to design, build, and integrate Coyote Block 3 launch tube assembly into an unmanned underwater vessel.
