Leonardo DRS Showcases Modular C-UAS System for U.S. Army with RIwP and M-LIDS Integration

Leonardo DRS has unveiled its latest iteration of a modular Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) capability designed to meet evolving threats faced by the U.S. Army. The system integrates multiple effectors—both kinetic and non-kinetic—onto a single platform using the Moog Reconfigurable Integrated-weapons Platform (RIwP) turret as part of the Mobile-Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Integrated Defeat System (M-LIDS) architecture.

Modular C-UAS Architecture Built Around RIwP Turret

The centerpiece of Leonardo DRS’s C-UAS solution is the integration of multiple sensors and effectors onto the Moog RIwP turret—a modular weapons station capable of supporting a variety of payloads. The system was recently demonstrated at an Army test range in Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.

The configuration included:

A 30 mm XM914 Bushmaster Chain Gun with proximity-fuzed ammunition for kinetic engagement of Group 1–3 drones
Northrop Grumman’s XM914-based proximity airburst munitions for effective drone swarming scenarios
Electronic warfare (EW) jamming modules to disrupt drone command links or GNSS signals
An EO/IR sensor suite for target acquisition and tracking
Integration into M-LIDS command-and-control architecture

This modularity allows rapid reconfiguration depending on mission profile—whether prioritizing soft-kill EW effects or hard-kill intercepts.

M-LIDS Evolution and Operational Context

The Leonardo DRS solution is part of the broader evolution of M-LIDS—a layered counter-UAS capability fielded by the U.S. Army to address threats from Group 1–3 unmanned aerial systems. Originally developed as an urgent operational need (UON) in response to drone threats in Iraq and Syria around 2017–2018, M-LIDS has since matured into a program-of-record with multiple industry partners including Leonardo DRS, SRC Inc., Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon.

M-LIDS typically consists of two vehicles:

A sensor vehicle equipped with radar (e.g., AN/TPQ-50 or KuRFS), EO/IR sensors, and SIGINT/EW modules
A shooter vehicle fitted with kinetic weapons such as XM914 cannons or Stinger missiles mounted on turrets like RIwP or CROWS-J

Leonardo DRS’s approach consolidates these functions into a more compact footprint while leveraging open architectures to enable rapid upgrades.

Layered Effects: Kinetic Meets Non-Kinetic Tools

The new demonstrator emphasizes layered defense through combined use of soft-kill and hard-kill mechanisms:

Kinetic Layer:

XM914 Chain Gun: Fires programmable airburst munitions capable of engaging fast-moving drones at short-to-medium ranges (~500–2000 m)
Cued by radar/EO data: Targeting information is fused from onboard sensors or networked ISR feeds via Link-16 or other tactical data links

Non-Kinetic Layer:

Electronic Attack Modules: Disrupt RF control links or GPS navigation used by commercial drones; potentially includes directional jammers or wideband denial systems like SRC’s Silent Archer components
Cyber Effects: Though not confirmed in this demo, previous iterations have explored cyber payloads capable of taking control over certain UAV types via protocol spoofing

This dual-layer approach enables flexible rules-of-engagement options—from non-lethal disruption to physical destruction—depending on threat type and collateral risk considerations.

Sensors and Fire Control Integration Enhancements

A critical enabler in this system is sensor fusion across radar, EO/IR optics, acoustic detection arrays (in some variants), and electronic surveillance measures. Leonardo DRS leverages its own battle management software stack to integrate these inputs into a common operating picture shared across platforms via tactical networks such as WIN-T or Link-16.

The fire control loop is semi-autonomous but operator-in-the-loop remains essential due to rules-of-engagement constraints. Target classification algorithms assist human operators by filtering out false positives—e.g., birds vs quadcopters—and prioritizing targets based on threat behavior profiles such as loitering near critical infrastructure.

Industry Collaboration and Future Roadmap

This demonstration reflects growing collaboration between Leonardo DRS and other defense primes involved in C-UAS development under U.S. DoD initiatives like JCO (Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office). The use of open standards allows plug-and-play integration with third-party sensors or effectors—including directed energy weapons currently being trialed under separate programs such as HELWS (High Energy Laser Weapon Systems).

The roadmap ahead includes potential integration with high-power microwave payloads for swarm defeat capabilities; enhanced autonomy for cueing; AI-enabled target recognition; and lighter-weight configurations suitable for Stryker-class vehicles or even uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs).

Operational Implications Amid Growing Drone Threats

The relevance of such systems continues to grow amid increasing use of drones in asymmetric warfare—as seen in Ukraine’s FPV drone tactics—or state-level threats involving long-range kamikaze UAVs like Iran’s Shahed series used by Russia. The ability to deploy mobile C-UAS platforms that combine detection, jamming, tracking, and hard-kill response within minutes is becoming essential at brigade level down to maneuver battalions.

If adopted at scale within Army formations alongside fixed-site solutions like L-MADIS or DE M-SHORAD lasers on Strykers, this modular approach could significantly improve force protection against low-cost aerial threats across theaters ranging from CENTCOM AORs to INDOPACOM forward deployments.