The FS-LIDS anti-drone system with the Coyote Block 2 interceptor (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
The U.S. Department of State has approved the potential sale of a unique anti-drone system to Qatar in a deal valued at $1 billion, the pentagon said on November 29.
In a statement, the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency said that Qatar requested to buy ten Fixed Site-Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft System Integrated Defeat System (FS-LIDS) as well as 200 Coyote Block 2 interceptors, Counter Unmanned Electronic Warfare System (CUAEWS); Coyote launchers and other equipment.
The principal contractors will be Raytheon Technologies Corp, SRC and Northrop Grumman Corp, according to the Pentagon.
The FS-LIDS system uses a small, expendable drone to intercept its target. The drone delivers a kinetic effect by crashing into enemy drones or exploding near them and dispersing blast fragments from its warhead.
The Coyote Block 2 interceptor is propelled by a jet engine, equipped with an active radar seeker and armed with a proximity warhead. It can engage threats at a range of more than 15 kilometers, and can even re-attack if it misses on the first pass.
“The proposed sale will improve Qatar’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing electronic and kinetic defeat capabilities against Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Qatar will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and/or services into its armed forces,” the Pentagon’s statement reads.
The Department of State said that proposed $1 billion sale for Qatar will not alter the basic military balance in the Middle East.
Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar is the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East. In March, President Joe Biden then designated Qatar as a major non-NATO ally, thus allowing Doha be in a group of countries that are provided with certain defense, trade and security benefits with the U.S.
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Looks like Qatar is getting Jewed.
I wonder if Russia does not already have an antidote for this USA gizmo…
The success of this system will depend on it’s ability to deal with EW.
You guys missing some info, the deal include some drones as well.
RT: “The sale includes 10 advanced drone systems, 200 drone interceptors and related equipment. Qatar made its request for a UAV purchase, including MQ-9 reaper drones, in 2020”.