Leonardo DRS, announced that the company’s SGT STOUT M-SHORAD Mission Equipment Package (MEP) successfully defeated Group 1–2 small, unmanned aircraft system (UAS) threats during a U.S. Government test event, demonstrating the system’s ability to adapt rapidly to evolving air threats through a modular, open-architecture design.
“SGT STOUT was engineered from the start for modernization, so capability can evolve as the threat evolves,” said Aaron Hankins, senior vice president and general manager of the Leonardo DRS Land Systems business unit. “This event highlights an upgrade path that emphasizes speed, safety, cybersecurity-by-design, and operational interoperability.”
Several hundred SGT STOUT systems are already fielded, providing an established baseline for readiness, training, and sustainment. While SGT STOUT was originally designed to counter larger Group 3 and above UAS as well as fixed-wing and rotary-wing threats, this government test event demonstrated expanded effectiveness against smaller Group 1-2 UAS enabled solely through updates to detection and fire control software, without adding any new hardware to the MEP.
This test milestone also reinforces the role of formation-based air defense, where integrated sensing, cueing, and engagement support protection of maneuver forces, distinct from solutions intended primarily for point defense. SGT STOUT’s architecture supports scaling to mission needs while maintaining a disciplined emphasis on system safety, cybersecurity, and qualification rigor for operational employment.
At the core of SGT STOUT is the Leonardo DRS modular MEP, which was designed to be platform-portable with modular interfaces. This approach enables rapid integration of best-of-breed capabilities, such as passive detection options, AI-enabled decision aids, edge computing, and evolving effectors, as requirements mature, without redesigning the full system. As a result, several proven capabilities could be incorporated in the near term as MEP enhancements to fielded systems, further strengthening SGT STOUT’s ability to defend against Group 1–2 UAS threats.
Building on the fielded performance of the SGT STOUT MEP and operational insights from its prime role on the Mobile Low, Slow UAS Integrated Defeat System program, Leonardo DRS continues to apply lessons from fielded air defense and counter-UAS programs to advance modular, software-driven capabilities and develop scalable, upgradeable solutions for evolving customer requirements and next-generation air-defense programs.
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