Developed by Epirus Inc., Leonidas is a high-power microwave weapon that can neutralize entire drone swarms in one shot. This sci-fi-inspired system targets individual drones within a group with remarkable accuracy.
The rise of consumer drones has led to various countermeasures like RF jammers and long-range net guns, but these struggle against military-grade drones equipped with jamming-resistant radios or autonomous flight capabilities.
Epirus, a U.S. startup, takes a different tack with Leonidas. It fires a high-powered microwave beam that overloads drone electronics, forcing them down. Unlike shipping container-sized predecessors, Leonidas fits in a pickup truck and delivers precise control.
“Our systems let us widen or narrow the beam in any direction to neutralize enemy targets—and nothing else,” says Epirus CEO Leigh Madden. They're also developing a man-portable version for ground teams.
In a February 2021 demo for a U.S. government client, Leonidas downed all 66 targets—100% success. It handled multiple drones at once in some runs and selectively zapped singles while sparing nearby ones, proving exceptional precision.
Leonidas relies on a gallium nitride solid-state emitter array, tech proven in military radars and 5G networks. These compact units allow individual control for steering microwave beams with high accuracy.
Justin Bronk of London's RUSI defense think tank notes microwaves may suit populated defenses better than guns or missiles, but precision is key. “In urban areas, there's a risk of damaging power grids or civilians' devices,” he explains.
This system promises robust protection for bases, airports, and stadiums against mass drone attacks, like the 2019 Abqaiq strike in Saudi Arabia. With China, Russia, the U.S., and UK building swarm drones to saturate defenses, high-power microwaves offer a critical edge.
