autoevolution:



Although not as thrilling as actual weapons, supersonic target drones are essential for developing the best missile-defense. And the U.S. Navy would probably not have the missile-defense skills and technologies it has today, without the help of the Coyote – the only supersonic sea-skimming target in the U.S.

Northrop Grumman announced that it will deliver 18 more GQM-163A Coyote target vehicles to the U.S. Navy, after being awarded an additional production contract option. These will add up to the 200 targets ordered so far.

The Coyote has been around for a while and it proved to be an important asset for the Navy. It was back in 2003 when this sea-skimming target vehicles was developed by Northrop Grumman and conducted its first flight. These types of target vehicles are used for practice, so that warships can learn the best ways to detect and destroy supersonic anti-ship missiles…



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