Raytheon Tests New Version of Coyote Counter-Drone System

Why It Matters

The non‑kinetic approach offers a low‑collateral defense against increasingly dense drone swarms, expanding viable protection options for populated and high‑value sites. It also strengthens Raytheon’s foothold in the fast‑growing counter‑UAS market.

Key Takeaways

• Non‑kinetic Coyote Block 3NK neutralizes swarms without debris
• System can loiter, engage, then be recalled for reuse
• Designed for urban environments, protecting critical infrastructure
• Integrated into Army’s LIDS program, over 100 drones intercepted
• Enhances range, speed, altitude capability against heavier UAVs

Pulse Analysis

The proliferation of commercial and tactical drones has forced militaries and civilian agencies to rethink air‑space security. Traditional kinetic interceptors, while effective, pose a risk of debris and unintended damage, especially in densely populated areas. Non‑kinetic solutions like Raytheon's Coyote Block 3NK address this gap by using directed‑energy or electronic‑warfare payloads that disable UAVs without physical impact, aligning with broader trends toward precision, low‑collateral counter‑UAS technologies.

Coyote Block 3NK builds on the proven Coyote platform by adding loiter capability and a reusable launch cycle. After launch, the system can hover in a designated airspace, monitor for hostile UAVs, and engage multiple targets before returning to base for redeployment. Its integration with the Army’s Low, Slow, Small‑Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System (LIDS) provides a layered defense that combines sensors, command‑and‑control networks, and effectors, creating a seamless kill‑chain from detection to neutralization. The system’s extended range, higher launch speed, and altitude ceiling enable it to counter larger, payload‑laden drones that threaten critical infrastructure.

From a business perspective, Raytheon's investment in production capacity and performance upgrades signals confidence in sustained demand for advanced counter‑drone solutions. Governments worldwide are allocating larger budgets to protect airports, power grids, and urban centers from drone threats, creating a lucrative market for non‑kinetic effectors. By offering a cost‑effective, reusable platform, Raytheon positions itself as a preferred supplier for both U.S. defense programs and allied nations seeking to modernize their air‑defense architectures while minimizing collateral risk.

Raytheon tests new version of Coyote counter-drone system

By Dylan Malyasov · Feb 11, 2026

Key Points

• Raytheon successfully tested the Coyote Block 3NK, a non‑kinetic counter‑drone system designed to loiter and defeat drone swarms.

• The system is part of the Coyote family used in the U.S. Army’s LIDS program and has intercepted more than 100 drones in combat settings.

Raytheon announced today that it has successfully tested a non‑kinetic variant of its Coyote counter‑drone system, known as Coyote Block 3NK.

The company said Coyote Block 3NK is a counter‑unmanned‑air system capable of loitering and defeating drone swarms while using a non‑kinetic payload intended to minimize the potential for collateral damage. According to Raytheon, the system can be recalled and redeployed for additional engagements after completing a mission.

Raytheon produces both kinetic and non‑kinetic Coyote variants designed to defeat small to large drone systems at longer ranges and at higher altitudes than similar‑class effectors. The Coyote family has been used in operational settings, and the company states that the system has intercepted more than a hundred drones in combat environments.

“Coyote provides warfighters a cost‑effective defense for individual drones and swarms,” said Tom Laliberty, president of Land & Air Defense Systems at Raytheon. “We continue to invest in Coyote’s combat‑proven capabilities, ensuring that allies around the globe gain an affordable operational advantage over sophisticated and evolving drone threats.”

The Block 3NK variant is intended for defending critical infrastructure and national‑security assets in populated environments, where kinetic interceptors may not be viable due to the risk of debris or collateral effects. By using a non‑kinetic payload, the system is designed to neutralize unmanned aerial threats while reducing unintended damage in urban or sensitive areas.

Coyote is part of Raytheon’s layered counter‑drone portfolio and is fielded as an effector within larger integrated air‑defense architectures. The system is typically launched from ground‑based platforms and can engage hostile unmanned aircraft at extended distances compared with short‑range interceptors.

Raytheon was recently awarded what the company described as its largest counter‑drone contract to date under the U.S. Army’s Low, slow, small‑unmanned aircraft Integrated Defeat System (LIDS) program. LIDS is designed to detect, track, and defeat Group 1 through Group 3 unmanned aerial systems using a combination of sensors, command‑and‑control networks, and effectors such as Coyote.

To meet increasing global demand for counter‑drone systems, Raytheon said it has invested in production capacity for the kinetic Coyote variant as well as performance enhancements to address next‑generation threats.

According to the company, these upgrades enable faster launches, higher speeds, and greater range at higher altitudes to counter unmanned aircraft carrying heavier payloads over longer distances.