Australia's DroneShield jumps on US Army contract for up to $500 million in orders

** Shares of DroneShield DRO.AX gain as much as 11.5% to A$1.74, their biggest intraday pct gain since August 4

** Shares hit highest level since August 31

** Counter-drone technology co announces its US unit is awarded a Domestic Shield US Department of Defense contract, allowing it to potentially win orders with a ceiling value of $500 million

** Contract requires DroneShield to compete for and receive delivery orders to help deploy counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) as a counter-force to drone warfare

** Stock down 43.2% this year, including the day's move