Optimized Leonidas microwave weapon to grill drone electronics even better
Epirus has improved the Leonidas microwave drone defense system by increasing its range, for example. Two of the weapon systems are now produced for U.S. Army.
Two Leonidas drone defense systems during field tests.
(Image: U.S. Army)
The U.S. Army has ordered an update of the Leonidas electromagnetic weapon from weapons manufacturer Epirus. Leonidas is capable of destroying drones using directed microwave radiation. The update is intended to increase the range and effectiveness of the weapon. The order is worth 43.5 million US dollars.
Two improved Leonidas systems of the type IFPC-HPM GEN II (Integrated Fires Protection Capability High-Power Microwave Generation) are to be delivered. The U.S. Army had already ordered four first-generation drone defense systems in 2023 to test their effectiveness and identify their advantages over other drone defense systems.
Longer range, more power
The new generation of the microwave weapon is said to have been developed based on the knowledge gained from the use of the weapon system by the US Army. In particular, the range and destructive power are said to have been increased with the new generation. Epirus speaks of a doubling of the range to up to 2 km. Drone electronics can thus be put out of action with the microwaves at this distance and the drones brought down. In addition, the power has been increased by 30 percent.
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Epirus also promises a shorter target acquisition time in order to neutralize enemy drones more quickly. The radiation pulses have been extended in the second generation. In addition, there is now a "high-performance burst mode", which makes it possible to engage multiple targets at the same time. It should also be possible to fight more different drone variants. Epirus has also adapted the weapon system's waveform and polarization technology.
The battery capacity of the IFPC-HPM GEN II has also been increased. This means that the mobile system can be used for longer without having to rely on an external power supply. The operation of the system has also been simplified.
The aim is to create a fully functional weapon system for the cost-effective neutralization of enemy drones. According to Epirus, a "shot" costs around 0.05 cents. This means that a drone can be fought much more cost-effectively than with missile-based defense systems. The Leonidas system should then be able to protect military and civilian facilities from drone attacks.
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It is not yet clear when the second generation of the revised Leonidas system will be available. The U.S. Army will first test and evaluate the system once it has been completed. Only then will a decision be made as to whether the weapon will be further developed and procured. Epirus states that it will be able to start mass production quickly.
(olb)
