US Army relies on Coyote Block 2C to protect bases from air threats in the Middle East.

The United States has taken a new step in its air defense strategy in the Middle East with the introduction of the Coyote Block 2C interceptor drone. The announcement was made by the US Central Command (CENTCOM), which specified that the systems had been tested during an exercise aimed at defending a base against aerial threats. The launch of several interceptors confirmed the ability of the new Coyote generation to strengthen protection against drone and missile attacks, a growing challenge in the region.
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The Block 2C version is equipped with a kinetic warhead containing a 1.8-kilogram fragmentation explosive charge (Picture source: X Channel of CENTCOM)

The Block 2C version is equipped with a kinetic warhead containing a 1.8-kilogram fragmentation explosive charge. This configuration enables it to neutralize individual drones or swarms, a threat that US forces now consider a priority given the increasing use of low-cost unmanned aerial systems by state and non-state actors. The system is deployed within the Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System (LIDS), which combines KuRFS radar, control stations, and adapted launchers for rapid operational integration. Powered by a turbine engine, the Block 2C can reach speeds between 555 and 595 km/h, allowing it to engage maneuvering targets at a distance of 10 to 15 kilometers, with the ability to reengage if the first interception fails.

This capacity is particularly important for US bases deployed across the Middle East, where threats often consist of hostile UAVs designed to bypass traditional air defense networks. Systems such as Patriot or THAAD are optimized for larger, faster targets such as ballistic missiles or aircraft, and their use against small drones would not be cost-effective. The Coyote fills this operational gap by providing a dedicated solution against small, low-flying UAVs and drone swarms, at a fraction of the cost of high-end interceptors. Its integration into layered air defense networks ensures that bases can be shielded from saturation attacks that could otherwise disrupt operations or damage critical infrastructure.

The initial contract, signed in January 2024, provides for the delivery of 600 units for a total of 75 million dollars. The main contractor, RTX Corporation, is also in discussions with foreign partners. According to CENTCOM, several Middle Eastern countries have expressed strong interest in the Coyote, leading Raytheon, a subsidiary of RTX, to plan the establishment of a production line in the United Arab Emirates. This decision is linked to the persistent security pressure faced by the UAE, which has been repeatedly targeted by drone and missile attacks carried out by the Houthis from Yemen. For the UAE and other regional partners, access to such a system represents a way to mitigate ongoing asymmetric threats without relying solely on US forces.

The evolution of the Coyote program does not stop with this version. The United States is currently developing the Block 3, recently tested from a modified launcher mounted on an M2 Bradley combat vehicle as well as from a Bell 407 helicopter. Unlike the kamikaze configuration, the Block 3 is designed as a reusable drone capable of conducting reconnaissance missions, significantly expanding its range of uses. The shift toward a recoverable system underlines a broader effort by the US Army to combine reconnaissance and strike capabilities into flexible, scalable platforms.

The Coyote originates from a family of drones with diverse capabilities. The first version, Block 1, weighed about six kilograms and functioned as a loitering munition powered by an electric motor, carrying a fragmentation explosive warhead with a proximity fuze. It was mainly intended to complement traditional counter-drone measures, such as small-caliber artillery or electronic warfare systems, by providing an effective solution beyond their engagement range. The Block 2C, in contrast, stands out as a new-generation interceptor, designed to neutralize drones weighing between 9 and 600 kilograms through fragmentation charges and high maneuverability in flight.

The system is designed to destroy drones by detonating near the target. Target acquisition relies on radiofrequency scanning, combined with the KuMRFS (Ku-band Multi-mission RF System) radar. This radar, equipped with four electronically scanned antennas, provides an effective detection range of seven kilometers and represents a central element of the tracking and targeting process. In combination with the Block 2C, KuMRFS gives forces the ability to detect, track, and neutralize UAVs before they can reach the perimeter of a base or sensitive facility.

By deploying the Coyote Block 2C, the United States shows its intention to adapt its defense capabilities in a region where the proliferation of armed drones and short-range missiles poses a constant strategic risk. The establishment of local production in the United Arab Emirates also reflects the growing interest of regional partners in this type of solution, deemed necessary to face repeated threats. For both US forces and their allies, the system represents a way to preserve freedom of action, protect forward-deployed assets, and respond to the increasing sophistication of asymmetric aerial threats. This deployment illustrates the intersection between technological development and operational requirements in a context where drone warfare plays a central role in contemporary conflicts.