Leonardo DRS, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRS) announced that its SGT STOUT M-SHORAD Mission Equipment Package successfully defeated Group 1–2 small unmanned aircraft system threats during a U.S. Government test event, according to a company press release.

The system, originally designed to counter larger Group 3 and above unmanned aerial systems as well as fixed-wing and rotary-wing threats, achieved the expanded capability through updates to detection and fire control software alone, without adding new hardware to the existing platform.

Several hundred SGT STOUT systems are currently fielded. The company said the software-only upgrade path demonstrates the system's modular, open-architecture design, which allows capability changes without a full system redesign.

"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.

The company noted that additional capabilities, including passive detection options, AI-enabled decision aids, and edge computing, could be incorporated as near-term enhancements to fielded systems through the existing modular interface architecture.

Leonardo DRS also cited operational insights from its role on the Mobile Low, Slow UAS Integrated Defeat System program as informing continued development of software-driven air defense solutions.