On 9th February, the U.S. Army announced that they awarded RTX a $75 million contract. Previously known as Raytheon Technologies, RTX ranks globally as the second-largest defense contractor regarding defense-related revenue. The announcement was prompted by a string of drone assaults originating from Yemen targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea, along with a deadly attack on a U.S. military base in Jordan.
According to the global defense outlook report, the United States boasts a 40% export rate from 2018-2022 and allocates a budget of $842 billion for fiscal year 2024.
To foster innovation, the U.S. government funds emerging startups and educational institutions, particularly in areas like cybersecurity, robotics, and autonomous vehicles, with a $145 billion budget.
These efforts are supported and expanded in collaboration with major defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, and Northrop Grumman. The U.S. Department of Defense has also allocated $4.794 billion to counter Russia's aggression in Europe.
The DoD plans to invest an estimated $10.235 trillion from 2023-2033 to maintain a capable, potent, combat-ready joint force.
The U.S. Army is purchasing 600 hundred Coyote 2C device interceptors, designed to neutralize drones, from defense contractor RTX to enhance its capability in countering unmanned aerial systems. These coyote drone interceptors are ground-launched and guided by radar.
This procurement initiative was led by the Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space, which is responsible for developing various defense systems, including overhead defenses, long-range rocket systems, and directed-energy lasers.
By utilizing rapid acquisition authority, the Army aims to acquire these anti-drone munitions in less than 30 days, a significantly faster timeline than traditional procurement methods that can take months or even years.
Although the Army currently employs some Coyote systems in mobile and stationary configurations as part of the Low, Slow, Small, Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System (LIDS), this recent purchase reflects an increasing demand and production scale. It follows a contracting notice outlining the military's intention to procure and deploy thousands of Coyote interceptors and hundreds of launchers and radars over the next five fiscal years.
The government notice emphasized the U.S. Army's need to develop, manufacture, and maintain countermeasures against enemy unmanned aerial systems, threatening domestic and international interests.
According to BIS Research, major defense forces around the world are investing in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) drones, kamikaze drones, and unmanned loitering munitions.
Moreover, the agreement with RTX was finalized shortly before Iran-backed militants attacked with a one-way drone at the Tower 22 installation in Jordan, near the Syrian border, resulting in the deaths of three soldiers and injuries to numerous others.
This incident highlighted the urgent need to combat drones, which can be assembled using readily available components and are relatively inexpensive.
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