Active Protection Systems mounted on M1 ABRAMS main battle tanks

From Counter-UAS to laser-based missile defence for helicopters, electronic warfare (EW) and on-board vehicle power, Leonardo DRS is providing the armies with a host of defensive protection systems.

Battle-tested and in continuous production, the TROPHY Active Protection Systems (APS) will be mounted on US M1 ABRAMS main battle tanks stationed in high-threat regions. At the same time, Leonardo DRS and Rafael are qualifying a lighter weight yet equally effective version of TROPHY for lighter armoured vehicles.

On 24 September, Leonardo DRS and partner Rafael Advanced Defense Systems announced they have successfully completed an extensive live-fire qualification process for key elements of the lighter weight TROPHY Vehicle Protection System (VPS). 

Leveraging material and component upgrades as well as lessons learned over 20+ years of development, TROPHY VPS achieves up to 40% weight reduction and improved power management, depending on how it is integrated on a platform.  The updated system retains its proven ability to protect against the full range of direct fire, anti-armor rocket and missile threats, with performance equal to TROPHY systems currently in the field.

DRS and Rafael are continuing efforts to bring about TROPHY’s compliance with the US Modular APS standard.

“Leonardo DRS and our Rafael partner have listened closely to our customers and these achievements represent our continuing investment in meeting their needs,” commented Vice President and General Manager of DRS Land Systems division, Aaron Hankins. “We are leaning forward to bring added capabilities to TROPHY for the Army’s Vehicle Protection System programme.”

“Rafael is encouraged by the extensive presence of US and international visitors at the tests,” added Executive Vice President and Head of Rafael’s Land and Naval Division, Moshe Elazar. “It shows the growing understanding that system maturity is not just a phrase. We are guaranteeing lower programmatic risk to our customers by leveraging proven performance and broad integration experience on main battle tanks, IFVs, 8X8s, and other platforms.”