Coyote

   The Coyote armored reconnaissance vehicle is built by General Dynamics of Canada. It was developed from the licensed version of the Swiss MOWAG Piranha II. This vehicle is employed in the conduct of battlefield reconnaissance and surveillance missions. The Coyote is in service with Canadian army since 1996 and around 200 of these vehicles were built.

   Coyote's hull armor has greater slopes comparing with similar vehicles. It has an all-round protection against small-arms fire, mines and artillery splinters. Add-on armor plates protect against larger projectiles.

   The Coyote is armed with a M242 Bushmaster 25-mm chain gun. It is used to defeat soft and light armoured targets. Additional armament consists of two 7.62-mm machine guns. One of them is coaxially mounted with the main gun, while another is placed on hull roof and operated by the gunner.

   The Coyote armored reconnaissance vehicle has a crew of four, including commander, driver, gunner and surveillance suit operator).

   Coyotes are equipped with a sophisticated electronic surveillance equipment. It includes radar, infrared and video surveillance. Equipment is mounted on a 10 meter long telescoping mast. Some variants of the Coyote carry a remote surveillance suite. It has two short tripods, that can be deployed remotely up to 200 meters away from the reconnaissance vehicle. Vehicle provides an all-weather, day and night observation capability.

   The Coyote's radar can detect large vehicles, such as trains or large trucks at a distance of up to 24 km. Medium-sized targets, such as tanks can be detected at up to 12 km. In good light conditions, or using thermal imager at night it can detect personnel up to 20 km away. Currently it is one of the best surveillance platforms in the world.

   This vehicle is powered by a diesel engine, developing 275 hp. Unlike Bison armored personnel carrier, the Coyote is not amphibious, but carries extra fuel for longer operating range.