The U.S. Army has acquired four cutting-edge drone-frying prototype weapons from defense contractor Epirus, part of a $66 million rapid acquisition effort. These high-tech systems, known as Leonidas, are designed to protect against the growing threat of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), a concern heightened by their use in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Leonidas operates by emitting powerful waves of energy that disable drone electronics, causing them to crash. This technology can be mounted on various platforms, including manned and unmanned machinery, such as Stryker combat vehicles or drones.
Several CUAS demonstrations (industry & govt) have already focused on defeating multiple UAS using kinetic & non-kinetic effectors. Epirus had demonstrated this with its first gen. #Leonidas proof-of-concept a few years back using a single Leonidas to defeat multiple drones. #GaN https://t.co/t8kgkppc8r pic.twitter.com/V3H4BlgbHN
— AirPower 2.0 (MIL_STD) (@AirPowerNEW1) October 22, 2023
For decades, the U.S. military has sought practical directed-energy weapons. Despite significant investment, widespread adoption remains elusive. The Pentagon allocates approximately $1 billion annually to directed-energy development, with over 30 initiatives currently in progress. The Army leads nine of these projects, reflecting the military’s commitment to advancing this technology.
Epirus delivered the first Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High-Power Microwave (IFPC-HPM) prototype in November 2023, followed by three more by March. The IFPC initiative aims to protect sites from drones, rockets, artillery, mortars, and cruise missiles. Early soldier training and engineering assessments have demonstrated the viability of high-power microwaves against drones and larger swarms.
Despite these advancements, challenges remain. Navy leaders have expressed frustration over the lack of powerful lasers and microwaves in critical areas like the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, where Houthi rebels disrupt military and commercial vessels. The data collected from the initial tests of the Leonidas system will inform future funding and deployment decisions, potentially shaping the future of drone defense.
Epirus has delivered the fourth and final #Leonidas #GaN High Power Microwave #HPM system to the US Army completing delivery of all four systems the Army had initially ordered in early 2023 in support of its Indirect Fire Protection Capability Inc 2 #IFPC HPM prototyping effort. https://t.co/uRMCaFmO5l pic.twitter.com/PSjUYUMI2W
— AirPower 2.0 (MIL_STD) (@AirPowerNEW1) May 15, 2024
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