The US Navy has likely deployed Raytheon’s Coyote drone interceptors aboard an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, strengthening defenses against swarming UAV threats.
The system was spotted during drills in the Ionian Sea, where photos revealed Coyote launchers mounted on the USS Bainbridge’s aft superstructure, near the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System and other major armaments.
As part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, the destroyer’s mission is to protect high-value naval assets. Adding Coyotes introduces a specialized counter-drone capability, a timely measure as the Navy confronts persistent Houthi drone and missile attacks in the Red Sea.
Originally designed as a small, expendable reconnaissance drone, the Coyote has since evolved into a frontline counter-UAV interceptor. The Block 2 variant features a jet engine, extended range, high speed, and an active seeker for hunting agile targets.
So far, the US Army has reported the system’s involvement in over 170 successful drone kills worldwide, underscoring its growing importance in modern naval defense.
