The US Navy has reportedly equipped the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Bainbridge with Coyote drone interceptors, marking a significant step in strengthening defenses against swarming UAVs. A recently released image from a drill in the Ionian Sea revealed the launchers mounted on the ship’s aft superstructure, positioned near the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System and other primary weapons.
As part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, the Bainbridge plays a key role in protecting valuable naval assets. The addition of Coyotes enhances its ability to counter small, low-flying drones, a growing concern amid Houthi drone and missile attacks in the Red Sea, which continue to threaten both military and commercial vessels.
Originally designed for reconnaissance, the Raytheon-built Coyote has been adapted into an expendable counter-UAV weapon. Compact and tube-launched, it unfolds wings in flight and has proven effective in neutralizing aerial threats.
The system’s Block 2 variant, powered by a jet engine, provides extended range, higher speed, and an active seeker to engage agile drones. The US Army has credited Coyote interceptors with more than 170 confirmed kills worldwide, underlining their effectiveness in modern drone warfare.
