Leonardo DRS announced the integration of its Maritime Mission Equipment Package (M‑MEP) onto an autonomous unmanned surface vessel (AUSV) on April 20 2026, adding a new counter‑unmanned aerial system (C‑UAS) capability to its product line.
The M‑MEP combines maritime radar, electro‑optical/infrared sensors, and AI‑enabled software that fuses sensor data and directs defeat actions. The package is designed for rapid deployment on both crewed and uncrewed platforms, allowing naval and coast‑guard vessels to field a mission‑ready layer of protection against aerial unmanned threats.
"Aerial unmanned threats are evolving quickly — in range, autonomy, and numbers. The M‑MEP is engineered to help the U.S. Navy and allied forces stay ahead of that threat with a modular package that brings sensors, command and control, and defeat options together into one integrated capability that can be fielded fast," said Cari Ossenfort, senior vice president and general manager of Leonardo DRS’s Naval Electronics business unit.
The integration onto an AUSV demonstrates the company’s ability to extend its ground‑based C‑UAS expertise to the maritime domain, a growing focus for naval forces amid increased use of unmanned aerial systems in littoral operations. The M‑MEP was previously showcased in August 2025 during an open‑water demonstration and is slated for further presentation at the Navy League Sea‑Air‑Space Symposium.
Leonardo DRS’s launch aligns with its broader strategy of delivering AI‑enabled, modular defense solutions to the U.S. Navy and allied partners, reinforcing its position as a specialized provider of advanced sensing, network computing, and force protection technologies.
The content on EveryTicker is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. We are not financial advisors. Consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. Any actions you take based on information from this site are solely at your own risk.