The skies over Erbil, Iraq, looked like a scene from a sci-fi movie last night. In a high-tech game of cat and mouse, a U.S. interceptor drone successfully hunted down and destroyed an Iranian “kamikaze” drone before it could hit its target.
This wasn’t a pilot in a jet shooting a missile. This was one robot killing another robot in mid-air.
The ‘Shadowed-136’
The drone that was intercepted is called the Shadowed-136 (also known as the Shahed). It’s a “kamikaze” or “suicide” drone, which means it’s designed to fly straight into a building or a base and explode on impact. They are loud, slow, and shaped like a giant triangle, but they can be very dangerous because they are hard for normal radars to catch.
The Raytheon ‘Coyote’
To stop the attack, the U.S. launched the Raytheon Coyote. The Coyote is a small, tube-launched drone that is built for one job: finding other drones and blowing them up.
EXPLORE MORE
Missing Juvenile Jovan James Krause-Depa from the 24th District
The Philadelphia Police Department is requesting the public’s help in locating 12-year-old…
U.S. CISA adds a flaw in n8n to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) adds a flaw in…
Cardinal Müller says Europe’s rejection of Christianity will lead to its downfall
(LifeSiteNews) — Cardinal Gerhard Müller warned during a recent conference in Rome…
Trump names Tulsi Gabbard’s replacement as intel chief
Bill Pulte, a close ally of the president with no national security…
Trump-backed ‘Tiger’ claims victory in Colombian election
Incumbent President Gustavo Petro dismissed the declaration as “wishful thinking” until the…
Lawsuit alleges high school girl was sexually assaulted by ‘trans’ wrestler during match
(LifeSiteNews) — A high school student sued Washington state officials after allegedly…
How it works:
- Radar Lock: Ground teams spot the incoming enemy drone.
- Launch: The Coyote is shot out of a tube like a firework.
- The Interception: The Coyote uses its own “eyes” (sensors) to find the enemy. Once it gets close enough, it explodes, creating a “cloud” of fragments that shreds the enemy drone.
Why Is This Happening in Erbil?
Erbil is a city in northern Iraq that hosts many U.S. and international troops. Because it’s a major hub, it has become a frequent target for these types of drone attacks. By using the Coyote, the U.S. can protect the city without having to fire expensive, million-dollar missiles at cheap drones.
The New Era of Warfare
Since the conflict escalated on February 28th, we have seen more drones in the sky than ever before. Experts say we are in a “Drone War” where both sides are trying to out-smash each other with robots.
With the U.S. deploying more of these Coyote systems to Iraq and Syria, the “invisible” shield over these bases is getting stronger. But as the drones get smarter, the “Robot Wars” are only going to get more intense.
