The US Navy has announced the integration of counterdrone interceptors, Raytheon’s COYOTE and Anduril’s ROADRUNNER-M, onto ARLEIGH BURKE class destroyers.

This decision was influenced by experiences from military operations against Iranian-backed Houthi militants in the Red Sea. Adm. Daryl Caudle, Head of US Fleet Forces Command, stated that the USS GERALD R. FORD and ARLEIGH BURKE class destroyers will be equipped with these systems, designed specifically to target loitering munitions and UAVs.

The counter-drone version of COYOTE, known as the COYOTE Block 2, along with the ROADRUNNER-M, are both jet-powered drone-like interceptors capable of loitering. Raytheon's COYOTE has been combat-proven and is currently deployed by the US Army and USSOCOM in multiple regions. Anduril's ROADRUNNER-M, while not yet confirmed to be combat-proven, is undergoing operational evaluation and being fielded for deployment by the US military. Anduril’s system is capable of returning to its launch point for refueling and reuse, provided it is not expended during its mission. 

At present, it remains uncertain whether they will be integrated into the AEGIS Combat System aboard the ships on which they will be deployed. These systems will enhance the already robust defense capabilities of ARLEIGH BURKE-class destroyers, which currently include STANDARD-series and Evolved SEA SPARROW (ESSM) surface-to-air missiles, RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM), and Mk-15 PHALANX Close-in Weapon Systems (CIWS) for close-in defense against aerial threats. Additionally, the 127 mm main gun situated on the bowmay also be utilized to engage aerial targets.

The 2 new C-UAV/C-LM (Counter-UAV/Counter-Loitering Munitions) systems are part of an effort to address cost concerns, offering more options for threat engagement and ultimately enhancing the defense of naval units, according to Navy Capt. Mark Lawrence, Commander of Destroyer Squadron 2 (DESRON 2). Each interceptor costs approximately 100,000 dollars which is significantly less than an ESSM (1 million dollars), an SM-2 (2.5 million dollars), an SM-6 (4.27 million dollars), or an RIM-116 (almost 1 million dollars). These interceptors provide an efficient response to lower-level threats and can be deployed from common launch tubes (CLTs) and other similar systems. They may also carry electronic warfare payloads capable of 'soft kill' operations against drones, allowing a single drone to neutralize multiple threats.

This results in considerable cost savings and increased magazine capacity. It is noteworthy that, as confirmed by the US Navy, over the past 15 months, its warships operating in and around the Red Sea have fired 120 Standard Missile-2s (SM-2), 80 SM-6s, a combined total of 20 ESSMs and SM-3s, as well as 160 rounds from the 127 mm gun against aerial threats launched by the Houthis.

(Picture: Left, COYOTE Block 2. Right: ROADRUNNER-M)

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