GQM-163 Coyote
GQM-163 Coyote | |
---|---|
![]() A GQM-163A Coyote test launch in May 2004. | |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | Northrop Grumman (formerly Orbital Sciences) |
Specifications | |
Length | 5.62m (18 ft 5.2 in) (without booster), 9.56m (31 ft 4.2 in) (incl. booster) |
Diameter | 35 cm (13.8 in), booster: 46 cm (17.99 in) |
Propellant | Aerojet MARC-R-282 solid-fueled ducted rocket/ramjet engine |
Operational range | 45 nmi (84 km) [1] |
Flight ceiling | 55,000 feet |
Flight altitude | Sea-skimming: 30 feet (cruise phase), 15ft (terminal phase) |
Boost time | Hercules MK 70 solid-fueled rocket |
Maximum speed | Mach 3.0-4.0 at 5,000-55,000ft, Mach 2.6 at 30-15ft [2] |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Coyote_flt.jpg/230px-Coyote_flt.jpg)
The GQM-163 Coyote is a supersonic sea skimming target built by Northrop Grumman[3] (formerly Orbital ATK) and used by the United States Navy as a successor to the MQM-8 Vandal. Orbital's proposal was chosen over the MA-31, a joint venture between Boeing and Zvezda-Strela. Orbital was awarded their contract for the development of the Coyote SSST in June 2000.
The Coyote is initially boosted by a booster, of similar design to those used by the now obsolete RIM-67 Standard ER missiles. After the booster stage is expended the missile switches to an solid-fuel rocket /ramjet engine for sustaining its flight. [4][5][6]
In July 2018, Orbital Sciences Corp was awarded a US$52m modification to its existing contract, for 18 Lot 12 targets plus some Foreign Military Sales.[7]
Operators[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/CQM-163_operators.png/400px-CQM-163_operators.png)
Current operators[]
- US Navy
- Australian Navy
- Japan Maritime Self Defense Force
References[]
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ "Northrop Grumman wins potential $250M Navy contract". Virginia Business. 2020-12-22. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
- ^ Aster Slays The Russian Dragon
- ^ Directory of US Military Rockets and Missiles
- ^ "GQM-163 SSST: A Tricky Coyote to Match Wits With Defenses". Retrieved 2010-08-17.
- ^ Orbital tapped for Coyote supersonic sea skimming targets for Navy, Stephen Carlson, SpaceDaily.com, 2018-07-03
- ^ ANZAC upgrade completes final acceptance trial
- ^ Latest GQM-163 SSST contract includes first sale to Japan
- Ramjet-powered aircraft
- Orbital Sciences Corporation
- Target drones of the United States
- Target missiles
- Military equipment introduced in the 2000s