Northrop Grumman’s GQM-163A Coyote Supersonic Target Strengthens NATO’s Missile Defense Shields.

According to official information published by Northrop Grumman on May 29, 2025, the company successfully launched two GQM-163A “Coyote” supersonic targets from the Hebrides Launch Facility in Scotland. The launches were conducted during the 2025 edition of Formidable Shield, a biennial multinational NATO exercise focused on air and missile defense. Over three weeks, the exercise brings together naval, air, and ground forces from multiple allied nations to conduct coordinated live-fire operations against both subsonic and supersonic threats in realistic combat scenarios.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The Coyote is engineered for high maneuverability, capable of enduring accelerations over 10 g and executing both azimuth and elevation turns as well as spiral maneuvers (Picture source: Northrop Grumman)

The GQM-163A “Coyote” is a supersonic target vehicle measuring 5.5 meters in length, developed to simulate advanced anti-ship cruise missile threats. Manufactured exclusively in the United States, it has been employed by the U.S. Navy for more than two decades in high-stakes missile defense testing. Its propulsion system combines a solid-fuel booster with an air-breathing ducted rocket, enabling it to fly at speeds exceeding Mach 2.5 while maintaining an altitude of just 4.5 meters above the sea. The Coyote is engineered for high maneuverability, capable of enduring accelerations over 10 g and executing both azimuth and elevation turns as well as spiral maneuvers. It can also host varied payloads including radar signature modifiers and electronic countermeasures, challenging defensive systems with highly realistic threat profiles.

Used in training, test flights, and operational evaluations, the GQM-163A serves as a critical tool for assessing both kinetic and electronic interception capabilities. Northrop Grumman designed it with a modular architecture to adapt to diverse mission profiles, demonstrating performance at five different launch sites globally. A specialized “High Diver” variant can reach altitudes above 15,000 meters before diving toward its target at near-hypersonic speeds. Since the award of the initial production contract by the Naval Air Systems Command in 2000, the company has produced more than 180 units and maintains an annual production rate exceeding 25 units. These features make the Coyote a strategic asset in preparing U.S. and allied naval forces for the evolving landscape of missile threats.

Robin Heard, director of target programs at Northrop Grumman, noted that the GQM-163A provides critical support for evaluating defense systems under realistic and operationally demanding conditions. He emphasized the role of exercises like Formidable Shield in validating system interoperability and readiness across the allied joint force, particularly in scenarios requiring precise coordination and rapid response.

Northrop Grumman has taken part in three at-sea editions of Formidable Shield since 2021, with more than 135 Coyote launches completed in support of missile defense testing. The company holds 17 full-rate production contracts for the program and continues to deliver custom-configured target vehicles replicating specific adversary capabilities. Its leadership in advanced avionics, propulsion, and modular payload systems positions it as a critical provider of threat-representative technologies for national and allied missile defense testing.

The GQM-163A’s deployment during Formidable Shield 2025 underscores the importance of credible threat emulation in building effective, adaptable defense postures. It also demonstrates how such testing supports the long-term development of integrated maritime and aerial defense strategies in an increasingly complex security environment.