Leonardo DRS to deliver additional Mission Equipment Packages for SGT Stout M-SHORAD Stryker vehicles.

On October 15, 2024, American Company Leonardo DRS, announced a new contract with General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) to deliver additional Mission Equipment Packages (MEP) for the SGT Stout Maneuver Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) Stryker vehicles. Valued at over $77 million, this contract will see Leonardo DRS responsible for the assembly, integration, and testing of the MEP systems.
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U.S. Army Sgt. Stout M-SHORAD air defense Stryker combat vehicle. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The SGT Stout M-SHORAD is a cutting-edge air defense variant of the Stryker armored vehicle, designed to bolster the U.S. Army's capability to counter aerial threats. Equipped with the integrated MEP, this vehicle enables soldiers to detect, identify, track, and neutralize various airborne threats, including Group 3 unmanned aerial systems (UAS), rotary-wing (helicopters), and fixed-wing aircraft. The SGT Stout M-SHORAD is specifically tailored for maneuverable air defense, providing on-the-move protection for U.S. forces on the battlefield.

The SGT Stout M-SHORAD vehicle is equipped with a suite of advanced armaments specifically designed to counter various aerial threats. Mounted on the Stryker platform, the vehicle combines kinetic and electronic warfare systems, providing a versatile and comprehensive air defense solution. Its primary weapon is the 30mm XM914 Chain Gun, capable of engaging and destroying aerial targets such as drones, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft. The gun is also effective against lightly armored ground targets, offering a dual-purpose capability.

Additionally, the SGT Stout M-SHORAD is equipped with a launcher that can fire up to four FIM-92 Stinger missiles. These heat-seeking missiles are designed to intercept and destroy aircraft, helicopters, and drones at short ranges, making them ideal for rapid response to immediate threats. In some configurations, the vehicle can also be fitted with Longbow Hellfire missiles, allowing it to engage more heavily armored targets, including enemy tanks, and low and slow-moving aircraft.

The AN/VPS-2 Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radar (MHR) supports the weapon systems. This radar provides 360-degree coverage to detect, track, and target multiple aerial threats. This radar system integrates seamlessly with the vehicle's armaments to ensure accurate and timely engagements. The SGT Stout is outfitted with electronic warfare systems that can jam or disrupt enemy communications and drone control signals, offering a non-kinetic option to neutralize threats.

The new contract comes at a time when three Division Air Defense Battalions have already been equipped with this vital capability, reflecting the U.S. Army's urgency to enhance its air defense systems. This urgency has been driven by the increased use of manned and unmanned aircraft in conflicts across the Middle East and Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of quickly and efficiently fielding such systems.

Aaron Hankins, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Leonardo DRS Land Systems business unit, underscored the importance of rapid deployment, stating, "The use of manned and unmanned aircraft in current conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine reinforces the need to field this capability to U.S. Army divisions as quickly as possible. We are proud to continue to answer the call with our partner General Dynamics Land Systems. Fielding air defense systems is very important as air threats become increasingly more capable."

The SGT Stout M-SHORAD vehicle represents a strategic asset for the U.S. Army, capable of offering short-range air defense (SHORAD) solutions to protect ground units. Designed to operate on the Stryker platform, the vehicle integrates advanced radar, sensors, and weapon systems to provide a robust shield against low-flying threats, ensuring enhanced situational awareness and force protection on the battlefield.

Leonardo DRS’s role in integrating the MEPs highlights the company’s extensive experience in merging complex technologies within accelerated acquisition programs. Their expertise extends across various domains, supporting force protection, computer networking, C5I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Combat Systems, and Intelligence), as well as naval power and propulsion systems.

As aerial threats continue to evolve, the SGT Stout M-SHORAD Stryker will play a critical role in ensuring that U.S. Army divisions are prepared to meet and neutralize emerging threats. This latest contract signifies continued collaboration between Leonardo DRS and General Dynamics Land Systems to provide state-of-the-art defense solutions that address modern warfare needs.