Air Defense

Fixed-site Coyote launcher

Also known as
  • Fixed-site Coyote Block 2 launcher
  • Fixed-site Coyote missile launcher
  • Coyote Block 2 launcher
  • Coyote launcher
  • LIDS Coyote launcher

The fixed-site Coyote launcher is the static-site launch component for Raytheon's Coyote counter-UAS interceptors in the U.S. Army's LIDS architecture. SRC describes Coyote as launched from fixed-site launcher systems, Army AL&T identifies a fixed-site Coyote Block 2 launcher, and Army acquisition reporting places Coyote inside fixed-site LIDS as the radar-guided kinetic defeat element.

Fixed-site Coyote launcher, Fixed-site launcher for Coyote interceptors, Air Defense
Image source: RTX Coyote launch photo
Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Built by
Raytheon
Type
Fixed-site launcher for Coyote interceptors
Service note
2020s-present

Specifications

Launcher type
Fixed-site launcher
Compatible interceptor
Coyote Block 2 / Coyote 2C
Program context
Fixed-site LIDS counter-UAS architecture
Mission
Kinetic defeat of small unmanned aircraft
Cueing context
Integrated with LIDS sensors and command-and-control
Deployment role
Base, airport, and other static-site protection
Variants

Public sources separate the Coyote launcher family by site role: this record covers the fixed-site launcher, while the mobile LIDS launcher vehicle is cataloged separately.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Mobile Coyote launcher system, Mobile Coyote missile launcher vehicle, Air DefenseMobile Coyote launcher systemMobile LIDS launcher vehicle

Army AL&T identifies an M-LIDS kinetic defeat vehicle with a Coyote Block 2 launcher, while SRC separates mobile and fixed-site launcher systems in its LIDS architecture.

Sources: Army AL&T LIDS launcher demonstration, LIDS Family of Systems Brochure

Launched Interceptors

The launcher is the fixed-site launch point for Coyote kinetic defeat rounds inside the LIDS counter-UAS architecture.

Launched itemItem typeLaunch evidence
Coyote counter-UAS interceptor / drone, Counter-UAS interceptor drone, Air DefenseCoyote counter-UAS interceptor / droneCoyote Block 2 / 2C interceptor

SRC says Coyote is launched from fixed-site launcher systems, Army AL&T labels a fixed-site Coyote Block 2 launcher, and the Army describes Coyote 2C as the fixed-site LIDS kinetic interceptor.

Sources: LIDS Family of Systems Brochure, Army AL&T LIDS launcher demonstration, Army announces rapid acquisition authority contract for Coyote Interceptors

Fixed-Site LIDS Architecture

The launcher is one element of the fixed-site LIDS detect-and-defeat stack rather than a stand-alone air-defense weapon.

Compatible itemItem typeCompatibility evidence
Fixed Site LIDS (FS-LIDS), Fixed-site counter-UAS system, Air DefenseFixed Site LIDS (FS-LIDS)Fixed-site counter-UAS system

SRC's fixed-site LIDS material describes a layered counter-UAS architecture for airports and bases, while the Army places Coyote interceptors inside fixed-site LIDS.

Sources: SRC LIDS Counter-UAS Technology, Army announces rapid acquisition authority contract for Coyote Interceptors

KuRFS radar, Counter-UAS and counter-RAM radar, Support EquipmentKuRFS radarCounter-UAS radar

RTX describes KuRFS and Coyote as the LIDS detect-and-defeat pair, giving the launcher a sensor-cued role in the fixed-site stack.

Sources: Meet the US Army's LIDS: A sure shot against drones

Fixed-Site LIDS Role

The launcher is best understood as the fixed kinetic-defeat node in a broader LIDS installation. Sensors and command-and-control locate and assign the threat; the launcher provides the Coyote launch point for short-range drone defeats.

LayerCatalog linkDocumented role
Site architectureFixed Site LIDS (FS-LIDS), Fixed-site counter-UAS system, Air DefenseFixed Site LIDS (FS-LIDS)Layered base, airport, and static-site protection against small UAS and swarms.
Sensor cueingKuRFS radar, Counter-UAS and counter-RAM radar, Support EquipmentKuRFS radarRTX describes KuRFS and Coyote as the detect-and-defeat pair in LIDS.
Kinetic effectorCoyote counter-UAS interceptor / drone, Counter-UAS interceptor drone, Air DefenseCoyote counter-UAS interceptor / droneSRC and Army sources identify Coyote as the fixed-site LIDS launcher's interceptor family.

Source labels used here: SRC LIDS Counter-UAS Technology; Meet the US Army's LIDS: A sure shot against drones; LIDS Family of Systems Brochure; Army announces rapid acquisition authority contract for Coyote Interceptors.

Timeline

Fixed-site Coyote launcher Key Events

  1. LIDS begins operational Army service

    RTX says the Army began operating LIDS in the CENTCOM area with Coyote and KuRFS as the detect-and-defeat pair.

    Sources: Meet the US Army's LIDS: A sure shot against drones

  2. Army AL&T labels the fixed-site launcher

    Army AL&T photo coverage identifies a fixed-site Coyote Block 2 launcher and distinguishes it from the mobile M-LIDS kinetic-defeat vehicle.

    Sources: Army AL&T LIDS launcher demonstration

  3. Army funds Coyote 2C interceptors

    The Army announced a $75 million rapid-acquisition award for 600 Coyote 2C interceptors, describing Coyote as a ground-launched, radar-guided component integrated into fixed-site LIDS.

    Sources: Army announces rapid acquisition authority contract for Coyote Interceptors

Media

Fixed-site Coyote launcher Videos

Fixed-site Coyote launcher Images

Fixed-site Coyote launcher, Fixed-site launcher for Coyote interceptors, Air Defense - view 1
Source: RTX Block 2 launch photo
Related Weapon Systems
Fixed Site LIDS (FS-LIDS), Fixed-site counter-UAS system, Air DefenseAir DefenseFixed Site LIDS (FS-LIDS)Fixed-site counter-UAS systemFixed Site LIDS (FS-LIDS) is the U.S. Army's fixed-site Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft System Integrated Defeat System, built to protect bases and other static sites from small drones. Official SRC, RTX, Army, and U.S. arms-sale reporting describe it as a layered counter-UAS architecture that combines radar and EO/IR sensors, FAAD C2 command-and-control, electronic-warfare defeat, fixed Coyote launchers, and Coyote Block 2 interceptors.
Anvil-K, Kinetic counter-UAS interceptor drone, Air DefenseAir DefenseAnvil-KKinetic counter-UAS interceptor droneAnvil-K is Anduril Industries' kinetic Anvil counter-UAS interceptor, a high-speed quadcopter-class effector built to physically intercept Group 1 and Group 2 unmanned aircraft under Lattice-enabled control. Public sources distinguish the kinetic Anvil/Anvil-Kinetic configuration from the explosive Anvil-M variant and place it inside Kuwait's proposed 2026 Anduril counter-drone procurement package, but do not document named conflict employment.
MORFIUS, Reusable high-power microwave counter-UAS interceptor, Air DefenseAir DefenseMORFIUSReusable high-power microwave counter-UAS interceptorMORFIUS is Lockheed Martin's reusable, tube-launched counter-UAS interceptor built around a high-power microwave payload and an ALTIUS-derived airframe. Public sources identify it as a developmental and demonstration system: Lockheed describes land, air, and sea launch integration, The War Zone reported DARPA Mobile Force Protection testing, and DefenseScoop reported a Joint Counter-small UAS Office evaluation at Yuma Proving Ground.

Sources

Coyote C-UASPublisher: RTX | Note: Supports Raytheon manufacturer context, the Coyote counter-UAS family role, and Coyote compatibility background for launcher relationships. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Meet the US Army's LIDS: A sure shot against dronesPublisher: RTX | Note: Supports LIDS background, the KuRFS-and-Coyote detect-and-defeat relationship, and the fixed or mobile LIDS deployment context. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Army announces rapid acquisition authority contract for Coyote InterceptorsPublisher: U.S. Army | Note: Supports the Army's Coyote 2C contract context, the ground-launched radar-guided description, and fixed-site LIDS integration wording. | Accessed: 2026-06-29SRC LIDS Counter-UAS TechnologyPublisher: SRC | Note: Supports the fixed-site LIDS role, airport/base-protection context, and layered detect-and-defeat architecture around the Coyote launcher. | Accessed: 2026-06-29LIDS Family of Systems BrochurePublisher: SRC | Note: Supports the LIDS family context, Raytheon Coyote launcher background, and fixed-site launcher-system wording for Coyote. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Army AL&T LIDS launcher demonstrationPublisher: U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center | Note: Supports the fixed-site Coyote Block 2 launcher label, the mobile M-LIDS kinetic-defeat vehicle distinction, and launcher-image context in Army AL&T. | Accessed: 2026-06-29RTX Coyote launch photoPublisher: RTX | Note: Image provenance for the RTX launch photo used as the primary page image. | Accessed: 2026-06-29RTX Block 2 launch photoPublisher: RTX | Note: Image provenance for a second RTX launch photo showing the Coyote launcher context. | Accessed: 2026-06-29