Raytheon to turn Coyote Block 3 kamikaze drones into reusable reconnaissance drones for the US Navy

The Navy wants to use the Coyote Block 3 for more than just barraging ammunition. The service has signed a contract with Raytheon to convert the kamikaze drones into reconnaissance drones.

Here's What We Know

The drone modification programme has been named Future Advanced Strike (FAST) and funded at $146m. The reconnaissance version of Coyote Block 3 will be available by the end of next year.

The hovering munition is designed to strike enemy armoured vehicles. It can be launched from sea and air platforms or from the ground. A special launch tube is provided for this purpose. The kamikaze drone has a top speed of 130 km/h.

Coyote Block 3 costs $15,000. The US Navy wants to equip the drone with camera payloads to conduct reconnaissance missions and return the drone to base.

Source: The Defence Post
Image: The Drive