The GQM-163 Coyote is a supersonic sea skimming target built by Northrop Grumman[2] (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.

GQM-163 Coyote
A GQM-163A Coyote test launch in May 2004.
Production history
Manufacturer	Northrop Grumman (formerly Orbital Sciences)
Specifications
Length	18.4 ft (5.62 m) without booster, 31.4 ft (9.56 m) with booster
Diameter	14 in (35 cm), booster: 18 in (46 cm)
Propellant	Aerojet MARC-R-282 solid-fueled ducted rocket/ramjet engine
Operational range	45 nmi (52 mi; 83 km) [1]
Flight ceiling	55,000 ft (17,000 m)
Flight altitude	Sea-skimming: 30 ft (9.1 m) cruise phase, 15 ft (4.6 m) terminal phase
Boost time	Hercules MK 70 solid-fueled rocket
Maximum speed	Mach 3.0-4.0 at 5,000–55,000 ft (1,500–16,800 m), Mach 2.6 at 15–30 ft (5–9 m) [1]

The Coyote is initially boosted by a Hercules MK-70 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 Aerojet MARC-R-282 solid-fuel rocket /ramjet engine for sustaining its flight. [3][4][5]

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.[6]

Operators

United States of America

• US Navy

France

• French Navy

Australia

• Australian Navy[7]

Japan

• Japan Maritime Self Defense Force[8]

References