QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 20, 2002.

Registration No. 333-

---

---

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

---

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

---

DRS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		3812		13-2632319
(State or other jurisdiction of		(Primary Standard Industrial		(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)		Classification Code Number)		Identification No.)
		5 Sylvan Way Parsippany, New Jersey 07054 (973) 898-1500

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code,
of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)

---

Nina Laserson Dunn, Esq.
Executive Vice-President, General Counsel
DRS Technologies, Inc.
5 Sylvan Way
Parsippany, New Jersey 07054
(973) 898-1500

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,
Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

Copy to:

David J. Goldschmidt
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Four Times Square
New York, New York 10036-6522
(212) 735-3000

---

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement as determined by the registrants

---

        If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.    o

        If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.    ý

        If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    o

        If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    o

        If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box.    o

---

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered		Amount to be Registered (1) (2)			Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit (2)		Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price (3)			Amount of Registration Fee
Debt Securities Preferred Stock Warrants Common Stock		$	250,000,000		100	%	$	250,000,000		$	23,000

(1)

Such indeterminate number or amount of debt securities, preferred stock, warrants or common stock of DRS Technologies, Inc. as may from time to time be issued at indeterminate prices.

(2)

Such amount in U.S. dollars or the equivalent thereof in foreign currencies, foreign currency units or composite currencies as shall result in an aggregate initial offering price for all securities of $250,000,000. If any debt securities are issued as original discount, such greater amount as may result in the initial offering price for securities aggregating $250,000,000.

(3)

Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

        The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrants shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said section 8(a), may determine.

---

---

---

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED NOVEMBER 20, 2002

Prospectus

        The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the securities and exchange commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

$250,000,000

DRS Technologies, Inc.

---

        We, DRS Technologies, Inc., may offer, issue and sell from time to time, together or separately, our:

•

debt securities, which may be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities;



•

shares of our preferred stock;



•

shares of our common stock; and



•

warrants to purchase debt or equity securities.

        We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement carefully before you make your investment decision.

        This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

        We may offer securities through underwriting syndicates managed or co-managed by one or more underwriters, or directly to purchasers. The prospectus supplement for each offering of securities will describe in detail the plan of distribution for that offering. For general information about the distribution of securities offered, please see "Plan of Distribution" in this prospectus.

        Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "DRS." Each prospectus supplement will indicate if the securities offered thereby will be listed on any securities exchange.

        Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission, nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is                        , 2002

---

Table of Contents

		Page
About This Prospectus		1
Where You Can Find More Information		1
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements		2
DRS Technologies, Inc.		3
Use of Proceeds		3
Ratio of Earnings To Fixed Charges		4
Description of Securities		5
Description of Debt Securities		5
Description of Common Stock		14
Description of Preferred Stock		16
Description of Warrants		20
Plan of Distribution		21
Legal Matters		22
Experts		22

        Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to "DRS," "we," "our," or "us" refer to DRS Technologies, Inc., and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.

---

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission using a "shelf" registration process. Under this shelf process, we may, from time to time, sell any combination of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock and warrants, as described in this prospectus, in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $250,000,000 or the equivalent thereof on the date of issuance in one or more foreign currencies, foreign currency units or composite currencies. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time that securities are sold, a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering will be provided. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."

        You should rely on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

        You should assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of the date of the prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings can be read and copied at the SEC's public reference room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available over the Internet at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Our common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "DRS." Our reports, proxy statements and other information can also be read at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

        The SEC allows "incorporation by reference" into this prospectus of information that we file with the SEC. This permits us to disclose important information to you by referencing these filed documents. Any information referenced this way is considered to be a part of this prospectus and any information filed by us with the SEC subsequent to the date of this prospectus will automatically be deemed to update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the following documents which we have filed with the SEC:

•

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2002;



•

Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended June 30, 2002 and September 30, 2002; and



•

Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on August 8, 2002.

        We incorporate by reference any future filings made with the SEC in accordance with Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

        We will provide, without charge, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, excluding any exhibits to those documents unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit in this prospectus. Requests should be directed to DRS Technologies, Inc., 5 Sylvan Way, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054 (telephone number (973) 898-1500) Attention: Investor Relations.

1

---

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement may contain or incorporate by reference information that includes or is based upon forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements give expectations or forecasts of future events. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, prospective services or products, future performance or results of current and anticipated services or products, sales efforts, expenses, the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings, trends in operations and financial results.

        Persons reading this report are cautioned that risks and uncertainties are inherent to forward-looking statements. Accordingly, our actual results could differ materially from those suggested by such forward-looking statements. Risks include, without limitation:

•

the effect of our acquisition strategy on future operating results, including our ability to effectively integrate acquired companies into our existing operations;



•

the uncertainty of acceptance of new products and successful bidding for new contracts;



•

the effect of technological changes or obsolescence relating to our products and services; and



•

the effects of government regulation or shifts in government policy, as they may relate to our products and services.

        You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus or the date of the document incorporated by reference, in this prospectus. We are under no obligation, and expressly disclaim any obligation, to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

2

---

DRS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

        We are a leading supplier of defense electronic products and systems. We provide high-technology products and services to all branches of the U.S. military, major aerospace and defense prime contractors, government intelligence agencies, international military forces and industrial markets. Incorporated in 1968, DRS has served the defense industry for over thirty years. We are a leading provider of thermal imaging devices, combat display workstations, electronic sensor systems, ruggedized computers, mission recorders and deployable flight incident recorders. Our products are deployed on a wide range of high-profile military platforms, such as the DDG-51 Aegis destroyer, the M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank, the M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle, the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter, the AH-64 Apache helicopter and the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet jet fighter, as well as in other military and non-military applications.

        We operate in three principal operating segments on the basis of products and services offered. Each operating segment is comprised of separate and distinct businesses: the Electronic Systems Group, the Electro-Optical Systems Group and the Flight Safety and Communications Group.

        We are incorporated in Delaware and the address of our principal executive office is 5 Sylvan Way, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054. Our telephone number is (973) 898-1500. Our Internet address is www.drs.com. drs.com is an interactive textual reference only, meaning that the information contained on the website is not part of this prospectus and is not incorporated in this prospectus by reference.

USE OF PROCEEDS

        Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds of any offering of securities sold for general corporate purposes, which may include acquisitions, repayment of other debt, capital expenditures and working capital. When a particular series of securities is offered, the prospectus supplement relating to that offering will set forth our intended use of the net proceeds received from the sale of those securities. The net proceeds may be invested temporarily in short-term marketable securities or applied to repay short-term debt until they are used for their stated purpose.

3

---

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

        The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated:

---

(1)

For purposes of this calculation, earnings are defined as pre-tax income from continuing operations before minority interests and extraordinary item, plus interest and related expenses, and one-third of rent expense. Fixed charges are the sum of interest and related expenses and one-third of rent expense.

4

---

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

        This prospectus contains summary descriptions of the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock and warrants that we may sell from time to time. These summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security. The particular terms of any security will be described in the related prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

        As used in this prospectus, debt securities means the debentures, notes, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness that we may issue from time to time. The debt securities will either be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. Senior debt securities will be issued under a "Senior Indenture" and subordinated debt securities will be issued under a "Subordinated Indenture." This prospectus sometimes refers to the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture collectively as the "Indentures." The trustee under the Indentures will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        The forms of Indentures are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The statements and descriptions in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement regarding provisions of the Indentures and debt securities are summaries thereof, do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the Indentures (and any amendments or supplements we may enter into from time to time which are permitted under each Indenture) and the debt securities, including the definitions therein of certain terms.

General

        Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be direct unsecured obligations of DRS Technologies, Inc. The senior debt securities will rank equally with any of our other senior and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to any senior indebtedness.

        The Indentures do not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that we may issue and provide that we may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series, in each case with the same or various maturities, at par or at a discount. Unless indicated in a prospectus supplement, we may issue additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series outstanding at the time of the issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of debt securities under the applicable Indenture.

        Each prospectus supplement will describe the terms relating to the specific series of debt securities being offered. These terms will include some or all of the following:

•

the title of debt securities and whether they are subordinated debt securities or senior debt securities;



•

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;



•

the ability to issue additional debt securities of the same series;



•

the price or prices at which we will sell the debt securities;



•

the maturity date or dates of the debt securities;



•

the rate or rates of interest, if any, which may be fixed or variable, at which the debt securities will bear interest, or the method of determining such rate or rates, if any;

5

---

•

the date or dates from which any interest will accrue or the method by which such date or dates will be determined;



•

the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of any such deferral period, including the maximum consecutive period during which interest payment periods may be extended;



•

whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the debt securities may be determined with reference to any index, formula or other method, such as one or more currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices, and the manner of determining the amount of such payments;



•

the dates on which we will pay interest on the debt securities and the regular record date for determining who is entitled to the interest payable on any interest payment date;



•

the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the debt securities will be payable, where any securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange or conversion, as applicable, and notices and demands may be delivered to or upon us pursuant to the Indenture;



•

if we possess the option to do so, the periods within which and the prices at which we may redeem the debt securities, in whole or in part, pursuant to optional redemption provisions, and the other terms and conditions of any such provisions;



•

our obligation, if any, to redeem, repay or purchase debt securities by making periodic payments to a sinking fund or through an analogous provision or at the option of holders of the debt securities, and the period or periods within which and the price or prices at which we will redeem, repay or purchase the debt securities, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and the other terms and conditions of such obligation;



•

the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000;



•

the portion, or methods of determining the portion, of the principal amount of the debt securities which we must pay upon the acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities in connection with an Event of Default (as described below), if other than the full principal amount;



•

the currency, currencies or currency unit in which we will pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the debt securities, if not United States dollars;



•

provisions, if any, granting special rights to holders of the debt securities upon the occurrence of specified events;



•

any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or our covenants with respect to the applicable series of debt securities, and whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with those contained in the applicable Indenture;



•

any limitation on our ability to incur debt, redeem stock, sell our assets or other restrictions;



•

the application, if any, of the terms of the Indenture relating to defeasance and covenant defeasance (which terms are described below) to the debt securities;



•

whether the subordination provisions summarized below or different subordination provisions will apply to the debt securities;



•

the terms, if any, upon which the holders may convert or exchange the debt securities into or for our common stock, preferred stock or other securities or property;

6

---

•

whether any of the debt securities will be issued in global form and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which global debt securities may be exchanged for certificated debt securities;



•

any change in the right of the trustee or the requisite holders of debt securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable because of an Event of Default;



•

the depositary for global or certificated debt securities;



•

any special tax implications of the debt securities;



•

any trustees, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars, or other agents with respect to the debt securities;



•

any other terms of the debt securities not inconsistent with the provisions of the Indentures, as amended or supplemented;



•

to whom any interest on any debt security shall be payable, if other than the person in whose name the security is registered, on the record date for such interest, the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global debt security will be paid if other than in the manner provided in the applicable Indenture;



•

if the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities of the series is to be payable in one or more currencies or currency units other than as stated, the currency, currencies or currency units in which it shall be paid and the periods within and terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the amounts payable (or the manner in which such amount shall be determined);



•

the portion of the principal amount of any securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities pursuant to the applicable Indenture if other than the entire principal amount; and



•

if the principal amount payable at the stated maturity of any debt security of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the stated maturity, the amount which shall be deemed to be the principal amount of such securities as of any such date for any purpose, including the principal amount thereof which shall be due and payable upon any maturity other than the stated maturity or which shall be deemed to be outstanding as of any date prior to the stated maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount shall be determined).

        Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.

        Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities will be issued in fully-registered form without coupons.

        Debt securities may be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the federal income tax consequences and special considerations applicable to any such debt securities. The debt securities may also be issued as indexed securities or securities denominated in foreign currencies, currency units or composite currencies, as described in more detail in the prospectus supplement relating to any of the particular debt securities. The prospectus supplement relating to specific debt securities will also describe any special considerations and certain additional tax considerations applicable to such debt securities.

7

---

Subordination

        The prospectus supplement relating to any offering of subordinated debt securities will describe the specific subordination provisions. However, unless otherwise noted in the prospectus supplement, subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to any existing Senior Indebtedness.

        Under the Subordinated Indenture, "Senior Indebtedness" means all amounts due on obligations in connection with any of the following, whether outstanding at the date of execution of the Subordinated Indenture, or thereafter incurred or created:

•

the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest due on our indebtedness for borrowed money and indebtedness evidenced by securities, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments issued by us;



•

all of our capital lease obligations;



•

any of our obligations as lessee under leases required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee under generally accepted accounting principles;



•

all of our obligations for the reimbursement on any letter of credit, banker's acceptance, security purchase facility or similar credit transaction;



•

all of our obligations in respect of interest rate swap, cap or other agreements, interest rate future or options contracts, currency swap agreements, currency future or option contracts and other similar agreements;



•

all obligations of the types referred to above of other persons for the payment of which we are responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise; and



•

all obligations of the types referred to above of other persons secured by any lien on any property or asset of ours (whether or not such obligation is assumed by us).

        However, Senior Indebtedness does not include:

•

any indebtedness which expressly provides that such indebtedness shall not be senior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities, or that such indebtedness shall be subordinated to any other of our indebtedness, unless such indebtedness expressly provides that such indebtedness shall be senior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities;



•

any of our indebtedness in respect of the subordinated debt securities;



•

any indebtedness or liability for compensation to employees, for goods or materials purchased in the ordinary course of business or for services;



•

any of our indebtedness to any subsidiary; and



•

any liability for federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by us.

        Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior Indebtedness and be entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such Senior Indebtedness.

        Unless otherwise noted in the accompanying prospectus supplement, if we default in the payment of any principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Senior Indebtedness when it becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration or otherwise, then, unless and until such default is cured or waived or ceases to exist, we will make no direct or indirect payment (in cash, property, securities, by set-off or otherwise) in respect of the principal of or

8

---

interest on the subordinated debt securities or in respect of any redemption, retirement, purchase or other requisition of any of the subordinated debt securities.

        In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any subordinated debt securities, the holders of all senior debt securities outstanding at the time of such acceleration, subject to any security interest, will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due on the senior debt securities before the holders of the subordinated debt securities will be entitled to receive any payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the subordinated debt securities.

        If any of the following events occurs, we will pay in full all Senior Indebtedness before we make any payment or distribution under the subordinated debt securities, whether in cash, securities or other property, to any holder of subordinated debt securities:

•

any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of DRS, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership;



•

any general assignment by us for the benefit of creditors; or



•

any other marshaling of our assets or liabilities.

        In such event, any payment or distribution under the subordinated debt securities, whether in cash, securities or other property, which would otherwise (but for the subordination provisions) be payable or deliverable in respect of the subordinated debt securities, will be paid or delivered directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness in accordance with the priorities then existing among such holders until all Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full. If any payment or distribution under the subordinated debt securities is received by the trustee of any subordinated debt securities in contravention of any of the terms of the Subordinated Indenture and before all the Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full, such payment or distribution or security will be received in trust for the benefit of, and paid over or delivered and transferred to, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness at the time outstanding in accordance with the priorities then existing among such holders for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all such Senior Indebtedness in full.

        The Subordinated Indenture does not limit the issuance of additional Senior Indebtedness.

9

---

Consolidation, Merger, Sale of Assets and Other Transactions

        We may not (i) merge with or into or consolidate with another corporation or sell, assign, transfer, lease or convey all or substantially all of our properties and assets to, any other corporation other than a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ours, and (ii) no corporation may merge with or into or consolidate with us or, except for any direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ours, sell, assign, transfer, lease or convey all or substantially all of its properties and assets to us, unless:

•

we are the surviving corporation or the corporation formed by or surviving such merger or consolidation or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease or conveyance has been made, if other than us, has expressly assumed by supplemental indenture all of our obligations under the Indentures;

•

immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; and

•

we deliver to the trustee an officers' certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that the supplemental indenture complies with the applicable Indenture

Events of Default, Notice and Waiver

        Unless an accompanying prospectus supplement states otherwise, the following shall constitute "Events of Default" under the Indentures with respect to each series of debt securities:

•

our failure to pay any interest on any debt security of such series when due and payable, continued for 30 days;

•

our failure to pay principal (or premium, if any) on any debt security of such series when due, regardless of whether such payment became due because of maturity, redemption, acceleration or otherwise, or is required by any sinking fund established with respect to such series;

•

our failure to observe or perform any other of its covenants or agreements with respect to such debt securities for 90 days after we receive notice of such failure;

•

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of DRS; or

•

any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series.

        If an Event of Default with respect to any debt securities of any series outstanding under either of the Indentures shall occur and be continuing, the trustee under such Indenture or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series outstanding may declare, by notice as provided in the applicable Indenture, the principal amount (or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the debt securities of that series) of all the debt securities of that series outstanding to be due and payable immediately; provided that, in the case of an Event of Default involving certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, acceleration is automatic; and, provided further, that after such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal, have been cured or waived. Upon the acceleration of the maturity of original issue discount securities, an amount less than the principal amount thereof will become due and payable. Reference is made to the prospectus supplement relating to any original issue discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of maturity thereof.

        Any past default under either Indenture with respect to debt securities of any series, and any Event of Default arising therefrom, may be waived by the holders of a majority in principal amount of all debt securities of such series outstanding under such Indenture, except in the case of (i) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any debt securities of such series or (ii) default in respect of a covenant or provision which may not be amended or modified without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of such series affected.

10

---

        The trustee is required within 90 days after the occurrence of a default (which is known to the trustee and is continuing), with respect to the debt securities of any series (without regard to any grace period or notice requirements), to give to the holders of the debt securities of such series notice of such default.

        The trustee, subject to its duties during default to act with the required standard of care, may require indemnification by the holders of the debt securities of any series with respect to which a default has occurred before proceeding to exercise any right or power under the Indentures at the request of the holders of the debt securities of such series. Subject to such right of indemnification and to certain other limitations, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series under either Indenture may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series, provided that such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with the applicable Indenture and the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

        No holder of a debt security of any series may institute any action against us under either of the Indentures (except actions for payment of overdue principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on such debt security or for the conversion or exchange of such debt security in accordance with its terms) unless (i) the holder has given to the trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof with respect to the debt securities of such series specifying an Event of Default, as required under the applicable Indenture, (ii) the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding under such Indenture shall have requested the trustee to institute such action and offered to the trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request; (iii) the trustee shall not have instituted such action within 60 days of such request and (iv) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of that series.

        We are required to furnish annually to the trustee statements as to our compliance with all conditions and covenants under each Indenture.

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

        We may discharge or defease our obligations under the Indenture as set forth below, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        We may discharge certain obligations to holders of any series of debt securities issued under either the Senior Indenture or the Subordinated Indenture which have not already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and which have either become due and payable or are by their terms due and payable within one year (or scheduled for redemption within one year) by irrevocably depositing with the trustee money in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such debt securities not previously delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and any premium and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of debt securities which have become due and payable) or to the stated maturity or redemption date, as the case may be and we have paid all other sums payable under the applicable indenture.

        If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may elect either (i) to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to the debt securities of or within any series (except as otherwise provided in the relevant Indenture) ("defeasance") or (ii) to be released from our obligations with respect to certain covenants applicable to the debt securities of or within any series ("covenant defeasance"), upon the deposit with the relevant Indenture trustee, in trust for such purpose, of money and/or government obligations which through the payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on such debt securities to maturity or redemption, as the case may be, and

11

---

any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon. As a condition to defeasance or covenant defeasance, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of such debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred. Such opinion of counsel, in the case of defeasance under clause (i) above, must refer to and be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable federal income tax law occurring after the date of the relevant Indenture. In addition, in the case of either defeasance or covenant defeasance, we shall have delivered to the trustee (i) an officers' certificate to the effect that the relevant debt securities exchange(s) have informed us that neither such debt securities nor any other debt securities of the same series, if then listed on any securities exchange, will be delisted as a result of such deposit and (ii) an officers' certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such defeasance or covenant defeasance have been complied with.

        We may exercise our defeasance option with respect to such debt securities notwithstanding our prior exercise of our covenant defeasance option.

Modification and Waiver

        Under the Indentures, we and the applicable trustee may supplement the Indentures for certain purposes which would not materially adversely affect the interests or rights of the holders of debt securities of a series without the consent of those holders. We and the applicable trustee may also modify the Indentures or any supplemental indenture in a manner that affects the interests or rights of the holders of debt securities with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each affected series issued under the Indenture. However, the Indentures require the consent of each holder of debt securities that would be affected by any modification which would:

•

change the fixed maturity of any debt securities of any series, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any premium payable upon the redemption thereof;

•

reduce the amount of principal of an original issue discount debt security or any other debt security payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof;

•

change the currency in which any debt security or any premium or interest is payable;

•

impair the right to enforce any payment on or with respect to any debt security;

•

adversely change the right to convert or exchange, including decreasing the conversion rate or increasing the conversion price of, any debt security (if applicable);

•

reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required for modification or amendment of the Indentures or for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the Indentures or for waiver of certain defaults; or

•

modify any of the above provisions.

        The Indentures permit the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series issued under the Indenture which is affected by the modification or amendment to waive our compliance with certain covenants contained in the Indentures.

Payment and Paying Agents

        Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of interest on a debt security on any interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name a debt security is registered at the close of business on the record date for the interest.

12

---

        Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, principal, interest and premium on the debt securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of such paying agent or paying agents as we may designate for such purpose from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at our option, payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as such address appears in the security register.

        Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, a paying agent designated by us will act as paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. All paying agents initially designated by us for the debt securities of a particular series will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

        All moneys paid by us to a paying agent for the payment of the principal, interest or premium on any debt security which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, interest or premium has become due and payable will be repaid to us upon request, and the holder of such debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.

Denominations, Registrations and Transfer

        Unless an accompanying prospectus supplement states otherwise, debt securities will be represented by one or more global certificates registered in the name of a nominee for The Depository Trust Company, or DTC. In such case, each holder's beneficial interest in the global securities will be shown on the records of DTC and transfers of beneficial interests will only be effected through DTC's records.

        A holder of debt securities may only exchange a beneficial interest in a global security for certificated securities registered in the holder's name if:

•

DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue serving as the depositary for the relevant global securities or DTC ceases to maintain certain qualifications under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and no successor depositary has been appointed for 90 days; or

•

we determine, in our sole discretion, that the global security shall be exchangeable.

        If debt securities are issued in certificated form, they will only be issued in the minimum denomination specified in the accompanying prospectus supplement and integral multiples of such denomination. Transfers and exchanges of such debt securities will only be permitted in such minimum denomination. Transfers of debt securities in certificated form may be registered at the trustee's corporate office or at the offices of any paying agent or trustee appointed by us under the Indentures. Exchanges of debt securities for an equal aggregate principal amount of debt securities in different denominations may also be made at such locations.

Governing Law

        The Indentures and debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws.

Trustee

        The trustee under the Indentures will be named in any applicable prospectus supplement.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

        The prospectus supplement will describe the terms, if any, on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, preferred stock or other debt securities. These terms will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. These provisions may allow or require the number of shares of our common stock or other securities to be received by the holders of such series of debt securities to be adjusted.

13

---

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

General

        As of the date of this prospectus, we are authorized to issue up to 30,000,000 shares of common stock. As of November 19, 2002, we had approximately 16,870,074 shares of common stock issued and had reserved approximately 2,772,048 shares of common stock for issuance upon exercise of outstanding stock options.

        Mellon Investor Services is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock. Shares of common stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "DRS."

        The following summary is not complete. You should refer to the applicable provision of our charter and by-laws and to Delaware corporate law for a complete statement of the terms and rights of our common stock.

Dividends

        Holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends in cash, property or shares of our stock when, as and if, declared by the board of directors, out of funds legally available for their payment, subject to the rights of holders of any preferred stock then outstanding.

Voting Rights

        Each holder of shares of our common stock is entitled to attend all special and annual meetings of our stockholders. The holders of our common stock have one vote per share with respect to matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders.

Rights Upon Liquidation

        In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of common stock will be entitled to share equally in any of our assets available for distribution after the payment in full of all debts and distributions and after the holders of any series of outstanding preferred stock have received their liquidation preferences in full.

Other Rights

        The issued and outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. Holders of shares of common stock are not entitled to preemptive rights. Shares of common stock are not convertible into shares of any other class of capital stock. If we merge or consolidate with or into another company and as a result our common stock is converted into or exchangeable for shares of stock, other securities or property (including cash), all holders of common stock will be entitled to receive the same kind and amount of consideration per share of common stock.

Possible Anti-Takeover Provisions

        Our charter and bylaws provide:

•

that the board of directors is divided into three classes: Class I directors, Class II directors and Class III directors, with each class consisting of as nearly an equal number of directors as possible. The members of one of the three classes of directors are elected each year; such directors hold office for three-year terms and until their successors are elected and qualified;



•

that vacancies on the board of directors other than at the annual meeting are filled by a vote of the remaining directors;

14

---

•

that special meetings of stockholders generally may be called only by the board of directors or an officer instructed by the board of directors to call the meeting;



•

that action may be taken by stockholders only at annual or special meetings and not by written consent; and



•

that advance notice must be given to us for a stockholder to nominate directors for election at a stockholder meeting.

        Any of these provisions could delay, deter or prevent a tender offer for or attempted takeover of DRS Technologies, Inc.

        Our charter permits us to issue up to 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock with terms which may be set by our board of directors. That preferred stock could have terms that could delay, deter or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt of DRS.

15

---

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

        The following description discusses the general terms of the preferred stock that we may issue. The prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock will describe certain other terms of such series of preferred stock. If so indicated in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock, the terms of any such series of preferred stock may differ from the terms set forth below. The description of preferred stock set forth below and the description of the terms of a particular series of preferred stock set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement are not complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to our certificate of incorporation and to the certificate of designation relating to that series of preferred stock.

Authority of the Board to Issue Preferred Stock.

        Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation we are authorized to issue up to 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $10.00 per share, in one or more series. On the date of this prospectus, no shares of preferred stock were outstanding. The board of directors may authorize the issuance of Preferred Stock in one or more series and may determine, with respect to any such series, the powers, preferences and rights of such series, and its qualifications, limitations and restrictions, including, without limitation:

•

the number of shares to constitute such series and the designations thereof;



•

the voting power, if any, of holders of shares of such series and, if voting power is limited, the circumstances under which such holders may be entitled to vote; provided, however, that the board of directors shall not create any series of Preferred Stock with more than one voter per share;



•

the rate of dividends, if any, and the extent of further participation in dividend distributions, if any, and whether dividends shall be cumulative or non-cumulative;



•

whether or not such series shall be redeemable, and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which shares of such series shall be redeemable;



•

the extent, if any, to which such series shall have the benefit of any sinking fund provision for the redemption or purchase of shares;



•

the rights, if any, of such series, in the event of the dissolution of the corporation, or upon any distribution of the assets of the corporation; and



•

whether or not the shares of such series shall be convertible, and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which shares of such series shall be convertible.

        You should refer to the prospectus supplement relating to the series of preferred stock being offered for the specific terms of that series, including:

•

the title of the series and the number of shares in the series;



•

the price at which the preferred stock will be offered;



•

the dividend rate or rates or method of calculating the rates, the dates on which the dividends will be payable, whether or not dividends will be cumulative or noncumulative and, if cumulative, the dates from which dividends on the preferred stock being offered will cumulate;



•

the voting rights, if any, of the holders of shares of the preferred stock being offered;



•

the provisions for a sinking fund, if any, and the provisions for redemption, if applicable, of the preferred stock being offered;



•

the liquidation preference per share;

16

---

•

the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which the preferred stock being offered will be convertible into our common stock, including the conversion price, or the manner of calculating the conversion price, and the conversion period;



•

the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which the preferred stock being offered will be exchangeable for debt securities, including the exchange price, or the manner of calculating the exchange price, and the exchange period;



•

any listing of the preferred stock being offered on any securities exchange;



•

whether interests in the shares of the series will be represented by depositary shares;



•

a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock being offered;



•

the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock being offered as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or the winding up of our affairs;



•

any limitations on the issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior or equal to the series of preferred stock being offered as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or the winding up of our affairs; and



•

any additional rights, preferences, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the series.

        Upon issuance, the shares of preferred stock will be fully paid and nonassessable, which means that its holders will have paid their purchase price in full and we may not require them to pay additional funds. Holders of preferred stock will not have any preemptive rights.

Dividend Rights

        Holders of preferred stock will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the board of directors, dividends in additional shares of preferred stock or cash dividends at the rates and on the dates set forth in the related prospectus supplement. Dividend rates may be fixed or variable or both. Different series of preferred stock may be entitled to dividends at different dividend rates or based upon different methods of determination. Each dividend will be payable to the holders of record as they appear on our stock books on record dates determined by the board of directors. Dividends on preferred stock may be cumulative or noncumulative, as specified in the related prospectus supplement. If the board of directors fails to declare a dividend on any preferred stock for which dividends are noncumulative, then the right to receive that dividend will be lost, and we will have no obligation to pay the dividend for that dividend period, whether or not dividends are declared for any future dividend period.

        No full dividends will be declared or paid on any preferred stock unless full dividends for the dividend period commencing after the immediately preceding dividend payment date and any cumulative dividends still owing have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid on all other series of preferred stock which have the same rank as, or rank senior to, that series of preferred stock. When those dividends are not paid in full, dividends will be declared pro rata, so that the amount of dividends declared per share on that series of preferred stock and on each other series of preferred stock having the same rank as that series of preferred stock will bear the same ratio to each other that accrued dividends per share on that series of preferred stock and the other series of preferred stock bear to each other. In addition, generally, unless full dividends including any cumulative dividends still owing on all outstanding shares of any series of preferred stock have been paid, no dividends will be declared or paid on the common stock and generally we may not redeem or purchase any common stock. No interest will be paid in connection with any dividend payment or payments which may be in arrears.

17

---

        Unless otherwise set forth in the related prospectus supplement, the dividends payable for each dividend period will be computed by annualizing the applicable dividend rate and dividing by the number of dividend periods in a year, except that the amount of dividends payable for the initial dividend period or any period shorter than a full dividend period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and, for any period less than a full month, the actual number of days elapsed in the period.

Rights Upon Liquidation

        If we liquidate, dissolve or wind-up our affairs, either voluntarily or involuntarily, the holders of each series of preferred stock will be entitled to receive liquidating distributions in the amount set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the series of preferred stock. If the amounts payable with respect to preferred stock of any series and any stock having the same rank as that series of preferred stock are not paid in full, the holders of the preferred stock will share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full respective preferential amounts to which they are entitled. After the holders of each series of preferred stock having the same rank are paid in full, they will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets. Neither the sale of all or substantially all of our property or business nor a merger or consolidation by us with any other corporation will be considered a dissolution, liquidation or winding up by us of our business or affairs.

Redemption

        Any series of preferred stock may be redeemable in whole or in part at our option. In addition, any series of preferred stock may be subject to mandatory redemption pursuant to a sinking fund. The redemption provisions that may apply to a series of preferred stock, including the redemption dates and the redemption prices for that series, will be set forth in the related prospectus supplement.

        If a series of preferred stock is subject to mandatory redemption, the related prospectus supplement will specify the year we can begin to redeem shares of the preferred stock, the number of shares of the preferred stock we can redeem each year, and the redemption price per share. We may pay the redemption price in cash, stock or other securities of our or of third parties, as specified in the related prospectus supplement. If the redemption price is to be paid only from the proceeds of the sale of our capital stock, the terms of the series of preferred stock may also provide that if no capital stock is sold or if the amount of cash received is insufficient to pay in full the redemption price then due, the series of preferred stock will automatically be converted into shares of the applicable capital stock pursuant to conversion provisions specified in the related prospectus supplement.

        If fewer than all the outstanding shares of any series of preferred stock are to be redeemed, whether by mandatory or optional redemption, the board of directors will determine the method for selecting the shares to be redeemed, which may be by lot or pro rata by any other method determined to be equitable. From and after the redemption date, dividends will cease to accrue on the shares of preferred stock called for redemption and all rights of the holders of those shares other than the right to receive the redemption price will cease.

Conversion Rights

        The related prospectus supplement will state any conversion rights under which shares of preferred stock are convertible into shares of common stock or another series of preferred stock or other property. As described under "Redemption" above, under some circumstances preferred stock may be mandatorily converted into common stock or another series of preferred stock.

18

---

Voting Rights

        The related prospectus supplement will state any voting rights of that series of preferred stock. Unless otherwise indicated in the related prospectus supplement, if we issue full shares of any series of preferred stock, each share will be entitled to one vote on matters on which holders of that series of preferred stock are entitled to vote. Because each full share of any series of preferred stock will be entitled to one vote, the voting power of that series will depend on the number of shares in that series, and not on the aggregate liquidation preference or initial offering price of the shares of that series of preferred stock.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

        We will appoint a transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursement agent for the preferred stock. The registrar for the preferred stock will send notices to the holders of the preferred stock of any meeting at which those holders will have the right to elect directors or to vote on any other matter.

Permanent Global Preferred Securities

        A series of preferred stock may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or its nominee identified in the related prospectus supplement. For most series of preferred stock, the depositary will be DTC. A global security may not be transferred except as a whole to the depositary, a nominee of the depositary or their successors unless it is exchanged in whole or in part for preferred stock in individually certificated form. Any additional terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any series of preferred stock and the rights of and limitations on owners of beneficial interests in a global security representing a series of preferred stock may be described in the related prospectus supplement.

19

---

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

        We may issue warrants to purchase debt or equity securities. We may issue warrants independently or together with any offered securities. The warrants may be attached to or separate from those offered securities. We will issue the warrants under warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

        The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the warrants. These terms may include the following:

•

the title of the warrants;



•

the designation, amount and terms of the securities for which the warrants are exercisable;



•

the designation and terms of the other securities, if any, with which the warrants are to be issued and the number of warrants issued with each other security;



•

the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;



•

the aggregate number of warrants;



•

any provisions for adjustment of the number or amount of securities receivable upon exercise of the warrants or the exercise price of the warrants;



•

the price or prices at which the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased;



•

if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants will be separately transferable;



•

if applicable, a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the exercise of the warrants;



•

any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants;



•

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence, and the date on which the right will expire;



•

the maximum or minimum number of warrants that may be exercised at any time; and



•

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any.

Exercise of Warrants

        Each warrant will entitle the holder of warrants to purchase for cash the amount of debt or equity securities, at the exercise price stated or determinable in the prospectus supplement for the warrants. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date shown in the applicable prospectus supplement, unless otherwise specified in such prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void. Warrants may be exercised as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. When the warrant holder makes the payment and properly completes and signs the warrant certificate at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as possible, forward the debt or equity securities that the warrant holder has purchased. If the warrant holder exercises the warrant for less than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate, we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining warrants.

20

---

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        We may sell the common stock, preferred stock and any series of debt securities and warrants being offered hereby in one or more of the following ways from time to time:

•

to underwriters or dealers for resale to the public or to institutional investors;



•

directly to institutional investors; or



•

through agents to the public or to institutional investors.

        The prospectus supplement with respect to each series of securities will state the terms of the offering of the securities, including:

•

the name or names of any underwriters or agents;



•

the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds to be received by us from the sale;



•

any underwriting discounts or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters or agents compensation;



•

any initial public offering price;



•

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and



•

any securities exchange on which the securities may be listed.

        If we use underwriters in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including:

•

negotiated transactions;



•

at a fixed public offering price or prices, which may be changed;



•

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;



•

at prices related to prevailing market prices; or



•

at negotiated prices.

        The securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. The prospectus supplement will identify any remarketing firm and will describe the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and its compensation.

        Unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase any securities will be conditioned on customary closing conditions and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of such series of securities, if any are purchased.

        Underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms may be entitled under agreements entered into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms may be required to make. Underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services in the ordinary course of business for us and/or our affiliates.

        Each series of securities will be a new issue of securities and will have no established trading market other than our common stock which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Any common stock sold will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, upon official notice of issuance. The securities, other than the common stock, may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange.

21

---

Any underwriters to whom securities are sold by us for public offering and sale may make a market in the securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice.

        We may sell securities as soon as practicable after the effectiveness of our registration statement, provided favorable market conditions exist. Any underwriter or agent involved in the offer or sale of securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

LEGAL MATTERS

        Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York will act as our counsel. Mark N. Kaplan, a member of our board of directors, is of counsel to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. Mr. Kaplan holds shares and options to purchase shares of our common stock.

EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements and schedule of DRS Technologies, Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2002 and 2001, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2002, have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in the reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent accountants, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

        The audit report covering the March 31, 2002, consolidated financial statements refers to a change in accounting for business combinations, goodwill and intangible assets beginning April 1, 2001.

22

---

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

        The expenses relating to the registration of the securities will be borne by the registrant. Such expenses are estimated to be as follows:

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

        Set forth below is a description of certain provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the "Restated Certificate of Incorporation"), of DRS Technologies, Inc. (the "Company") the Bylaws (the "Bylaws") of the Company and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as such provisions relate to the indemnification of the directors and officers of the Company. This description is intended only as a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

        The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Company shall, to the full extent permitted by Sections 102 and 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time, indemnify all persons whom it may indemnify pursuant thereto and eliminates the personal liability of its directors to the full extent permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time.

        Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware permits a corporation to indemnify its directors and officers against expenses (including attorney's fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlements actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought by third parties, if such directors or officers acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, if they had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. In a derivative action, i.e., one by or in the right of the corporation, indemnification may be made only for expenses actually and reasonably incurred by directors and officers in connection with the defense or settlement of an action or suit, and only with respect to a matter as to which they shall have acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made if such person shall have been adjudged liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his respective duties to the corporation, although the court in which the action or suit was brought may determine upon application that the defendant officers or directors are reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses despite such adjudication of liability.

        Section 102(b)(7) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware provides that a corporation may eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i) for any breach of the director's duty

II-1

---

of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. No such provision shall eliminate or limit the ability of a director for any act or omission occurring prior to the date when such provision becomes effective.

Item 16. List of Exhibits.

        The Exhibits to this registration statement are listed in the Index to Exhibits on page II-6 and are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 17. Undertakings.

        The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

        (1)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

          (i)  To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

        (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;

        (iii)  To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; provided, however, that paragraphs 1(i) and 1(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3, S-8 or F-3, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement;

        (2)  That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

        (3)  To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

        The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

II-2

---

        Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions set forth in Item 15, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

        The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

        The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

II-3

---

SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Parsippany, State of New Jersey on November 19, 2002.

		DRS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
		By:	/s/  MARK S. NEWMAN
			Name:  Mark S. Newman Title:    Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer

SIGNATURES AND POWERS OF ATTORNEY

        Each person whose signature appears below authorizes Mark S. Newman and Nina Laserson Dunn, or either of them, as his attorney in fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute, in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, this Registration Statement on Form S-3 and any amendments thereto (and any additional registration statement related thereto permitted by Rule 462 (b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 (and all further amendments including post-effective amendments thereto)) necessary or advisable to enable the registrant to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in respect thereof, in connection with the registration of the securities which are the subject of such registration statement, which amendments may make such changes in such registration statement as such attorney may deem appropriate, and with full power and authority to perform and do any and all acts and things whatsoever which any such attorney or substitute may deem necessary or advisable to be performed or done in connection with any or all of the above-described matters, as fully as each of the undersigned could do if personally present and acting, hereby ratifying and approving all acts of any such attorney or substitute.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Name		Title		Date
/s/  MARK S. NEWMAN       Mark S. Newman		Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director		November 19, 2002
/s/  RICHARD A. SCHNEIDER       Richard A. Schneider		Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)		November 19, 2002
/s/  IRA ALBOM       Ira Albom		Director		November 19, 2002

II-4

---

/s/  DONALD C. FRASER       Donald C. Fraser		Director		November 19, 2002
/s/  WILLIAM F. HEITMANN       William F. Heitmann		Director		November 19, 2002
/s/  STEVEN S. HONIGMAN       Steven S. Honigman		Director		November 19, 2002
/s/  C. SHELTON JAMES       C. Shelton James		Director		November 19, 2002
/s/  MARK N. KAPLAN       Mark N. Kaplan		Director		November 19, 2002
/s/  STUART F. PLATT       Stuart F. Platt, RADM, USN (Ret)		Director		November 19, 2002
/s/  DENNIS J. REIMER       General Dennis J. Reimer, USA (Ret.)		Director		November 19, 2002
/s/  ERIC J. ROSEN       Eric J. Rosen		Director		November 19, 2002

II-5

---

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.		Exhibit
1.1		Form of Underwriting Agreement for common stock, preferred stock warrants and debt securities, to be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report of the Company on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.
3.1		Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company [Registration Statement No. 2-70062-NY, Amendment No. 1, Exhibit 2(a)].
3.2		Certificate of Amendment of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as filed July 7, 1983 [Registration Statement on Form 8-A of the Company, dated July 13, 1983, Exhibit 2.2].
3.3		Composite copy of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended [Registration Statement No. 2-85238, Exhibit 3.3].
3.4		Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as filed April 1, 1996 [Registration Statement No. 33-64641, Post-Effective Amendment No. 1, Exhibit 3.4].
3.5		By-laws of the Company, as amended to November 7, 1994 [Form 10-K, fiscal year ended March 31, 1995, File No. 1-8533, Exhibit 3.5].
3.6		Form of Advance Notice By-Laws of the Company [Form 10-Q, quarter ended December 31, 1995, File No. 1-8533, Exhibit 3].
3.7		Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company, as of April 1, 1996 [Registration Statement No. 33-64641, Post-Effective Amendment No. 1, Exhibit 3.8].
4.1		Form of Senior Indenture*
4.2		Form of Subordinated Indenture*
4.3		Form of any Senior Note with respect to each particular series of Senior Notes issued hereunder, to be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report of the Company on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.
4.4		Form of any Subordinated Note with respect to each particular series of Subordinated Notes issued hereunder, to be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report of the Company on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.
4.5		Certificate of designation, preferences and rights with respect to any preferred stock issued hereunder, to be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report of the Company on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.
4.6		Form of Debt Warrant Agreement, to be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report of the Company on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.
4.7		Form of Debt Warrant Certificate, to be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report of the Company on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.
4.8		Form of Stock Warrant Agreement, to be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report of the Company on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.
4.9		Form of Stock Warrant Certificate, to be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report of the Company on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.

II-6

---

5.1		Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (New York).*
12.1		Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
23.1		Consent of KPMG LLP, independent accountants.
23.2		Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (New York) (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1		Powers of Attorney (included on the signature pages hereto).
25.1		Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of the Trustee under the Senior Indenture.*
25.2		Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of the Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture.*

---

*

To be filed by amendment.

II-7

---

QuickLinks

Table of Contents
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
DRS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
USE OF PROCEEDS
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
LEGAL MATTERS
EXPERTS
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
SIGNATURES
SIGNATURES AND POWERS OF ATTORNEY
EXHIBIT INDEX