RTX completes three tests of Coyote counter-drone upgrade

Raytheon, a business of RTX, completed three successful tests of its new Coyote Block 2C+RM interceptor upgrades. The company funded the developmental testing events and advanced the system from concept to testing in 15 months to support a joint U.S. military mission against evolving drone threats.

The Block 2C+RM upgrade builds on existing Coyote variants that have intercepted hundreds of drones in combat. The new configuration adds a tactical rocket motor for faster launch and flight, along with a new seeker and warhead intended to defeat current and emerging drone classes.

Tom Laliberty, president of Land & Air Defense Systems at Raytheon, stated that a common backbone allows the company to scale the Coyote family rapidly across counter-drone missions and accelerate development.

The test series verified initial integration with current counter-drone architecture and featured the first launches of an effector equipped with the tactical rocket motor. RTX, which reported 2025 sales of more than $88 billion and employs over 180,000 workers globally, is based in Arlington, Virginia.