US defense giant Raytheon has signed an important agreement with UAE defense and security organization Tawazun to begin production of its Coyote system, which offers an effective solution against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to the official statement made by Raytheon, this strategic cooperation agreement was signed by Raytheon Emirates General Manager Fahad Al Mheiri and Tawazun Defense and Security Industry Business Sector Head Matar Al Romaithi. The signing ceremony was also witnessed by US Ambassador to the UAE Martina Strong and Tawazun Secretary General HE Dr. Nasser Al Nuaimi.
Emphasis on Regional Security and Cooperation
Commenting on the agreement, Fahad Al Mheiri, General Manager of Raytheon Emirates, said, “This agreement supports the U.S. defense industry by providing increased capacity and resilience in a high-demand mission area. It is a testament to the strength of our partnership with Tawazun and our shared vision to advance innovation and readiness through trusted collaboration.” Al Mheiri’s comments show that this collaboration not only increases manufacturing capacity, but also deepens defense industry cooperation between the two countries.
Coyote System and Its Importance
Raytheon’s Coyote system, currently in active use by the U.S. Army, has proven itself in the modern battlespace and plays a critical role in countering the growing UAV threat. As reported by Defense Blog, local production of this system will mean faster delivery times and expanded deployment flexibility for both the UAE and other allied forces in the region. This is expected to make a significant contribution to ensuring regional security and stability.
Technical Specifications of Coyote Block 2+
The Coyote system has different versions, but the Coyote Block 2+ model is particularly noteworthy. This system, which has a length of 600 mm and a wingspan of 1473 mm, can be fired from a pneumatic box launcher. It should also be noted that the Coyote Block-1 was initially developed for loitering ammunition and reconnaissance missions.
Coyote Block 2+ is a compact system weighing 130 kg that can reach a maximum speed of 5.9 km/h. It has two basic methods of neutralizing enemy UAVs: destroying them by direct impact or damaging them with fragments from its 1.8 kg warhead by exploding near the enemy UAV. In addition, continuous control over the system is provided thanks to its “man-in-the-loop” capability. The Coyote system works in integration with KuRFS, a Ku-band radar system also developed by Raytheon, to detect and intercept Class I and II UAVs in particular. This integration provides a multi-layered and effective UAV defense solution.
