The USS Bainbridge, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, has been spotted carrying Coyote drone interceptors, giving the vessel a new defensive edge against hostile UAVs. The first confirmed images, taken during training in the Ionian Sea, show the launchers mounted on the ship’s port side near critical weapon systems.
With the destroyer serving under the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, the integration of Coyotes offers an additional protective layer for both the warship and high-value carrier assets. The move comes as the Navy contends with persistent Houthi drone and missile strikes in Middle Eastern waters.
The Coyote system, developed by Raytheon, began as a small drone before being repurposed into a frontline anti-UAV tool. It is tube-launched, compact, and versatile, able to be fired from ships, vehicles, or modular stations, deploying its wings after launch.
In its Block 2 form, the interceptor boasts jet propulsion, enhanced speed and range, and a seeker for tracking maneuverable threats. The US Army has praised the system, attributing at least 170 drone shootdowns to its use worldwide. Raytheon has also tested new applications, including the first-ever helicopter launch of a Coyote earlier this year in Texas.
