Leonardo DRS is a leader in developing and delivering proven air defense and Counter-UAS solutions to the U.S. military for a range of force protection requirements. As a trusted partner in the defense industry and with the DoD, Leonardo DRS has deep experience in building teams to bring together best-of-breed technologies to rapidly develop and produce C-UAS solutions for today’s growing threats.
The U.S. Navy faces the same threats by drones as land forces – complex attacks from single or multiple small to medium low-flying unmanned aerial systems. To defeat these threats at sea, Counter-UAS capabilities similar to the proven and fielded systems developed for ground vehicles by Leonardo DRS, can be employed to operate as a maritime-based force protection system when mounted on autonomous vessels.
Our experience and proven capability to design, build and integrate Mission Equipment Package (MEP) systems is positioning us as a leader in the development and integration of platform agnostic Maritime MEPs for a range of autonomous Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV’s).
Like their land-based counterparts, maritime MEP systems from Leonardo DRS are being designed to be modular, with open system architecture to host multiple options for kinetic and non-kinetic effectors as well as software definable sensors and communication packages. Because the MEPs are platform agnostic they can be configured on various small, medium and large USVs.
The flexible MEP systems will provide sailors the ability to maneuver at the tactical level with the assurance of a complete detect, identify, track and defeat capability at sea.
- These solutions will support forward-deployed fleets with a scalable force protection system to counter a range of airborne threats at various distances.
- Platform flexibility will deliver proven, TRL-9 detection, kinetic and non-kinetic C-UAS solutions for the fleet on nearly any USV from 14’ and larger.
- Leonardo DRS MEPs are being designed to provide fleet commanders with the ability to distribute and extend the range of C-UAS sensors and effectors, complementing existing capabilities to improve battlespace superiority.
- Demonstrated autonomous collaborative behaviors are only as effective as their Mission Equipment Packages; Leonardo DRS is focused on providing affordable options intended to be deployed down-range and closer to threats, increasing the range of response options for fleet commanders during operations.
By employing scalable kinetic and non-kinetic effectors, sailors can possess a proper balance of mobility and protection to maneuver and destroy threats at point of the spear.
The Maritime Mission Equipment Package
Leonardo DRS has deep experience in bringing together partnerships of leading companies to provide best-of-breed technologies. The company also brings its experience as a lead integrator of Counter-UAS MEPS with advanced sensors, kinetic, and non-kinetic weapon systems for various sized platforms and different force protection requirements.
Once integrated on a USV platform, the MEP will perform by:
- Using active and passive advanced radars and EO/IR systems to detect inbound UASs (individual or multiple).
- When confirmed, MEP-based GPS and 4/5G non-kinetic electronic warfare systems will coordinate to destroy the guidance systems of incoming UAS targets.
- Maritime C-UAS operators continue to monitor for threats.
- With unlimited use of onboard Electronic Warfare capabilities, the USV-based MEP is ready to counter further attacks at any point.
- If the USV-based MEP is fitted with a kinetic weapon system, it will be able to engage incoming targets, allowing ship(s) it’s protecting from having to use expensive missiles to destroy small and inexpensive threats.
As adversarial stand-off weapons push U.S. Navy surface fleet further from the battle space, the U.S. Navy requires proven capabilities to allow its fleet to ensure sea-dominance and project power ashore. Leonardo DRS and its strong team of partners has the experience to support the Navy for this urgent fleet protection need.
For more information, please visit us during Sea Air Space, booth #1137, April 7-9, 2025.
Media Inquiries
Michael Mount
Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs
[email protected]
Business Inquiries
James Buchanan
Vice President, Naval Electronics Business Development
[email protected]