What Leonardo DRS does

Leonardo DRS, Inc. is a U.S.-headquartered defense technology company that designs and manufactures advanced sensing, network computing, force protection, and electric power and propulsion systems for the U.S. Department of Defense and allied governments. Founded in 1969 and publicly traded on NASDAQ under ticker DRS, the company is majority-owned by Italian aerospace and defense conglomerate Leonardo S.p.A., which acquired its predecessor DRS Technologies in 2008; the RADA Electronic Industries merger completed in November 2022 further expanded its tactical radar portfolio. The company operates two reportable segments — Advanced Sensing & Computing (Airborne & Intelligence Systems, Daylight Solutions, DRS RADA Technologies, EO/IR Systems, Land Electronics, and Naval Electronics) and Integrated Mission Systems (Land Systems and Naval Power Systems) — and employs approximately 7,300 people across 14+ U.S. and Canadian facilities.

The product portfolio spans quantum cascade laser-based directed infrared countermeasures with 66 dedicated patents, tactical expeditionary radars (including the aCHR/eCHR compact hemispheric radar family), uncooled LWIR thermal camera modules (Tenum 640 Orbit), AI-enabled multi-sensor fusion software (SAGEcore), rugged 3U VPX tactical-edge computing (THOR), immersion cooling subsystems (IcePiercer), the PR72 series of 500 kW–9 MW permanent magnet machines, integrated counter-UAS mission packages (M-MEP), and space-based infrared sensor payloads. Core differentiators include more than 1,500 patents, ISO 9001/AS9100/CMMI Level 3 process certifications, sole-source positions on programs such as Columbia-class submarine electric propulsion, and a deployed installed base of 55,000+ Driver's Vision Enhancers, 300,000+ mounted computers, and power conversion units on 250+ ships.

Leonardo DRS generates revenue primarily through long-term U.S. defense prime contracts, IDIQ vehicles, sole-source awards, and competitive bids, with FY2025 revenue of $3.6 billion (up 13% YoY), $8.7 billion in total backlog, and $4.7 billion in funded backlog. Pricing is contract-based and not publicly disclosed; recent major awards include ATSP5 (>$25 billion 10-year ceiling), the Missile Defense Agency's SHIELD IDIQ ($151 billion ceiling), and the SDA Tracking Layer Tranche 3 subcontract. The company sells through direct engagement with DoD procurement offices, allied governments (Saudi Arabia, Poland, Taiwan, Thailand, Romania, NATO members), and via international partnership manufacturing, exemplified by its February 2026 Memorandum of Agreement with Saudi Arabian Military Industries and Advanced Electronic Company for local production of battlespace situational awareness technologies.

Name

Leonardo DRS

Legal name

Leonardo DRS, Inc.

Website

https://leonardodrs.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Leonardo DRS is a NASDAQ-listed U.S. defense technology company designing advanced sensing, counter-UAS, network computing, and naval propulsion systems for the U.S. Department of Defense and allied governments. Majority-owned by Leonardo S.p.A., it reported $3.6 billion in 2025 revenue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Electronics

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing (33429)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Communications Equipment, Nec (3669), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)

akta.pro primary industry

Military Power Supplies, RF/Microwave Components & Ruggedized Electronics (IMABAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Submarine Combat Systems & Sonar Manufacturing (CMS, Sensors, EW) (IMAJAOAH), Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), Electronic Warfare (EW) & SIGINT/ELINT Systems (IMABAGAB)

Keywords

• Defense electronics systems
• Electro-optical infrared sensors
• Naval power propulsion
• Tactical radar systems
• Military computing platforms

Headquarters

HQ city

Arlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Defense Electronics and Systems: Leonardo DRS generates revenue primarily through design, development, and manufacture of advanced defense products, systems and solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense and allied customers. Revenue comes from long-term defense contracts, production contracts, and aftermarket sustainment.
2. Defense Contracts (IDIQ/Prime): The company serves as prime contractor on major defense programs including ATSP5 ($25B+ potential value), SHIELD missile defense ($151B ceiling), and SDA Tracking Layer Tranche 3. Revenue is project-based with multi-year visibility.
3. Advanced Sensing & Computing Segment: Revenue from six business units: Airborne & Intelligence Systems, Daylight Solutions, DRS RADA Technologies, Electro-Optical & Infrared Systems, Land Electronics, and Naval Electronics. Q1 2026 segment revenue: $559M (9% YoY growth).
4. Integrated Mission Systems Segment: Revenue from Land Systems (ground vehicle integrator) and Naval Power Systems (naval propulsion provider). Solutions combine internally produced products with externally sourced technologies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Leonardo DRS designs, develops, and manufactures advanced defense electronics for the U.S. Department of Defense and allied militaries. Its portfolio spans advanced sensing (EO/IR sensors, tactical radars, quantum cascade lasers), network computing and C5ISR, force protection (counter-UAS, electronic warfare, active protection), and electric power and propulsion systems for naval and ground platforms. The company operates as a prime contractor, systems integrator, and sub-system/component supplier on major defense programs.

Product overview

Leonardo DRS is a defense technology company providing integrated products, services, and support across two primary business segments: Advanced Sensing & Computing (consisting of Airborne & Intelligence Systems, Daylight Solutions, DRS RADA Technologies, Electro-Optical & Infrared Systems, Land Electronics, and Naval Electronics business units) and Integrated Mission Systems (consisting of Land Systems and Naval Power Systems). The company's product portfolio centers on core platforms including SAGEcore AI-enabled sensor fusion software, THOR rugged edge computing systems, and the Maritime Mission Equipment Package for counter-UAS operations. These are supported by specialized sensing technologies including Tenum thermal camera cores, Quantum Cascade Laser systems, Tactical Expeditionary Radars, Integrated Sensing Systems, and EO/IR sighting/targeting systems. Power and propulsion offerings include Electric & Hybrid Electric Propulsion systems, PR72 Permanent Magnet Motors, IcePiercer immersion cooling, and uninterruptible power supplies (2kVA and 6kVA). Force protection solutions encompass Integrated Counter-UAS systems, Electronic Warfare capabilities, and Battle Management Systems. The company also provides naval computing infrastructure, mounted computing & displays, and space-based sensor payloads. Products serve all military domains (land, sea, air, space, cyber) and are deployed on thousands of military platforms worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tenum: Uncooled thermal camera product line for unmanned platforms
• SAGEcore
• THOR
• IcePiercer
• Maritime Mission Equipment Package (M-MEP)
• BlackLab

Products and services

• Tenum 640 Orbit Thermal Camera Module Advanced uncooled long-wave infrared (LWIR) thermal camera module optimized for unmanned air, ground, and maritime platforms, featuring 640x512 resolution with 10µm pixel pitch and <20 mK thermal sensitivity for defense and commercial OEMs.
• Maritime Mission Equipment Package (M-MEP) Compact mission-ready package delivering counter-UAS and air defense capabilities to unmanned surface vessels, combining maritime radar, EO-IR sensors, AI-enabled sensor fusion software, and platform integration kits.
• 2 kVA AC Uninterruptible Power Supply Military-qualified AC UPS designed for harsh maritime and industrial environments with IP54 enclosure protection, built to MIL-STD requirements for mission-critical electronics on naval and industrial platforms.
• THOR Edge Computing System Open-architecture rugged embedded computing chassis designed for tactical edge use in military ground platforms, supporting AI, sensor fusion, and multi-domain operations with scalable processing and combat-vehicle-grade ruggedness.
• SAGEcore Sensor Fusion Software Next-generation software backbone for multi-sensor C5ISR applications, providing rapid data orchestration, fusion, and distribution across multiple domains to turn raw sensor data into decisive overmatch for military commanders.
• Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) Systems Military laser technology enabling Directed Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) on lightweight aircraft with minimal SWaP-C, backed by 66 patents on mid-infrared laser technology for molecular spectroscopy and defense applications.
• Electric and Hybrid Electric Ship Propulsion Systems Next-generation electric propulsion systems for submarines and hybrid electric drive systems for combat vehicles, enabling high-power applications like laser weapons and advanced sensors on naval platforms.
• Tactical Expeditionary Radars Multi-mission combat-proven radars that rapidly detect, track, and classify threats from small arms to drones and missiles, delivering total battlefield awareness for maneuver forces.
• IcePiercer Immersion Cooling Ruggedized immersion cooling technology that dramatically increases computing density and reliability for deployed systems, enabling AI, sensor fusion, and compute-heavy applications at the tactical edge.
• PR72 Permanent Magnet Machines Modular permanent magnet electric machines designed for demanding electrification applications, spanning 500 kW to 9 MW with efficiency greater than 98%, suitable for naval propulsion, USV propulsion, power generation, and industrial applications.
• Artificial Intelligence Processor (AIP) On-platform AI acceleration module providing real-time machine learning and edge inference for threat detection and advanced mission processing in harsh battlefield conditions for U.S. Army ground vehicles.
• Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems Signal detection, identification, jamming, and geolocation capabilities for dominating the electromagnetic spectrum, with hardware and software easily integrated into any platform.
• Integrated Counter-UAS Systems Comprehensive counter-drone solutions including mobile counter-UAS radar systems and AI-enabled modular capabilities for detecting, tracking, identifying, and defeating aerial unmanned threats across domains.
• Abrams Driver's Vision Enhancer (DVE-A) Battlefield visibility system improving safe maneuvering in low light and obscured conditions for Abrams combat vehicles, with 55,000+ DVE systems delivered for military combat vehicles worldwide.
• Battle Management Systems Comprehensive command and control systems deployed across multiple military platforms and allied nations including Polish, Taiwanese, Thai, and Romanian armies.
• Space Mission Infrared Sensor Payloads Advanced imaging sensors for critical space-based operations including missile defense tracking and earth observation missions, including payloads for the Space Development Agency's Tracking Layer program.

Quantifiable outcome

• 13% revenue growth to $3.6B in 2025, beating analyst expectations by 7%
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability11 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• Sea MachinescoreTechnology or Integration · 22 April 2026Leonardo DRS selected Sea Machines' STORMRUNNER eight-meter autonomous unmanned surface vessel (AUSV) to demonstrate its Maritime Mission Equipment Package (M-MEP) for counter-UAS missions. STORMRUNNER offers 40+ knot top speed, 700+ nautical mile endurance, and modular payload capacity powered by Sea Machines' SM300-SP autonomous command and control system.
• Element US Space & DefensecoreTechnology or Integration · 18 March 2026Element partnered with Leonardo DRS to support electromagnetic testing activities for the US Navy, specifically for force's medium-voltage capability projects. Collaboration includes building a semi-anechoic electromagnetic interference chamber at Leonardo's Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin facility. Platform scheduled to achieve operational capability in 2026.
• Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) & Advanced Electronic Company (AEC)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 February 2026Memorandum of Agreement for local collaboration and production of battlespace situational awareness technologies for Saudi Ministry of Defense and National Guard. Focus on advanced vehicle-mounted combat computing server systems, rugged displays, and driver thermal vision enhancement technologies to modernize Saudi Arabia's military vehicle fleets aligned with Vision 2030.
• Axon VisionstrategicTechnology or Integration · 12 January 2026Axon Vision received an order from Leonardo DRS valued at approximately $350,000 for AI-based counter-UAS systems providing end-to-end detection, classification, tracking, and interception of aerial threats. Follows partnership agreement signed in late 2025. Systems designed for U.S. defense and homeland security forces with operational evaluations scheduled.
• Axon VisionstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 January 2026Strategic cooperation agreement to pursue AI-enhanced Counter-UAS solutions in U.S. defense market. Combines Leonardo DRS's sensor and system integration capabilities with Axon Vision's AI-based perception and autonomy technologies. Positions both companies to compete for large-scale defense programs delivering next-generation combat systems.
• Honeywell (SAMURAI System)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 September 2024Leonardo DRS partnered with Honeywell on the SAMURAI System, a multi-layered counter-drone solution. Demonstrated by U.S. Air Force in January 2025. SAMURAI integrates components from multiple defense manufacturers including Leonardo DRS.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• L3Harris Technologies: Major U.S. defense prime with overlapping portfolios in tactical communications, EO/IR sensors, electronic warfare, and space payloads — directly comparable to Leonardo DRS' Advanced Sensing & Computing segment and a frequent competitor on DoD IDIQ bids.
• Mercury Systems: Specialized defense electronics provider of rugged mission-critical processing, RF/microwave components, and sensor subsystems — closely analogous to Leonardo DRS' THOR edge computing, IcePiercer cooling, and rugged electronics offerings to primes and DoD.
• Curtiss-Wright (Defense Solutions): Defense segment supplies rugged electronics, naval computing, and power/propulsion conversion systems — directly comparable to Leonardo DRS' Naval Electronics and Naval Power Systems franchises, including submarine and surface-ship technologies.
• Elbit Systems: Israeli defense electronics house specializing in EW, EO/IR, counter-UAS, and tactical computing — closely comparable to Leonardo DRS across multiple product lines and an active competitor in international allied markets.

Broad incumbents

• RTX (Raytheon): Large U.S. defense prime operating across missile defense (competing on SHIELD), sensors, and EW — overlapping with Leonardo DRS on several IDIQ programs and as a frequent prime-contractor partner/subcontractor relationship.
• Northrop Grumman: U.S. defense prime with deep capabilities in space-based sensors (a competitor on SDA Tracking Layer), EO/IR, and integrated air/missile defense — competes with Leonardo DRS on space payloads and missile defense IDIQ task orders.
• BAE Systems (U.S. operations): Major U.S./UK defense prime with overlapping EW, naval electronics, and combat vehicle electronics portfolios — directly comparable to Leonardo DRS' Land Electronics and Naval Electronics business units.
• General Dynamics Mission Systems: U.S. defense electronics unit covering tactical networking, computing, and naval/maritime systems — directly comparable to Leonardo DRS' Network Computing segment and a frequent collaborator/competitor on Army and Navy programs.

Emerging players

• Kratos Defense & Security Solutions: Specializes in unmanned systems, tactical jet drones, and space/satellite communications — overlapping with Leonardo DRS in unmanned-platform electronics and as a competitor in select DoD counter-UAS and space sensor programs.

Others

• Honeywell Aerospace: Industrial and defense conglomerate that partnered with Leonardo DRS on the SAMURAI counter-drone solution; adjacent given overlapping product portfolios in navigation, sensors, and power systems used across DoD platforms.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/leonardodrsnews
• Facebookfacebook.com/leonardodrsinc

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A5 records

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Leonardo DRS