In a recent demonstration with the US Army, military contractor Epirus showcased its high-powered microwave weapon, Leonidas, taking down 49 drones all in one go.
The system projects electromagnetic interference as an offensive tool, disabling quadcopters without the use of projectiles or lasers.
“I call this a singularity event,” said Epirus Chief Executive Officer Andy Lowery, as quoted by Axios. “This platform is going to be needed at stadiums and at airports. The list goes on and on.”
The test reportedly took place at Camp Attenbury, Indiana, in front of US service officials and allies from the Indo-Pacific region.
Replacing Conventional Systems
Missiles carry steep manufacturing costs per unit that make them impractical against multiple drones. Lasers, while far cheaper to operate, face their own limit by only engaging one target at a time.
Modern drones have also evolved beyond usual radio or GPS comms, instead connecting to mobile network terminals to bypass electronic warfare systems.
Leonidas counters this by sending invisible energy waves directly into drone electronics to render them inoperable.
It is also reported that the system can take down any drone caught within its 60-degree arc, continuously zapping multiple targets as long as it remains powered.
Arming the Service
In 2023, the US Army awarded Epirus $66 million to develop prototypes of the microwave weapon.
Initial units have already been delivered to the service for testing, with the army including it in training exercises in the Philippines.
While army officials have expressed confidence in the system’s capabilities, questions remain about integrating it with sensors and kinetic munitions in broader defense networks.
