The Pentagon announced that Raytheon has been awarded a contract worth more than $5 billion to supply the U.S. Army with the Coyote missile system to intercept and destroy unmanned aerial threats, including drone swarms, Defense B log reports.
According to the US Department of War, Raytheon has been awarded a contract for the "Coyote Missile System – stationary, mobile Coyote missile launchers, kinetic and non-kinetic interceptors, and Ku-band radar systems." The Pentagon noted that only one proposal was received following an online solicitation.
Raytheon notes that the system is already combat-tested and capable of destroying a wide range of threats, from individual drones to coordinated swarms of UAVs.
Coyote missiles are available in both kinetic and non-kinetic variants, allowing operators to choose the appropriate methods of engaging the target. Kinetic variants intercept UAVs directly, while non-kinetic systems use electromagnetic or other non-contact methods of engagement.
It was previously reported that the Swedish Saab has developed a cheap Nimbrix missile against drone swarms.