Epirus’ high-power electromagnetic (HPeM) weapon, Leonidas, has destroyed 49 drones at once during a recent test, Axios has reported. The demonstration, held at Camp Atterbury in Indiana, was observed by officials from the U.S. military as well as representatives from other nations.
The event marks the largest drone swarm challenge faced by Leonidas to date. It is not clear whether the UAVs approached as one formation or in separate groups from multiple directions.
Leonidas is being developed for several applications, including fixed-site, trailer-mounted, mobile and UAV-mounted versions. The system uses directed energy in the form of high-power microwaves to disable or damage onboard electronics, an approach that differs from more established jamming and laser-based counter-UAS methods.
HPeM weapons such as Leonidas are attracting attention because of their potential to neutralize multiple drones simultaneously. Unlike jamming, they can affect drones operating autonomously or connected via fiber-optic links. They also avoid the high firing costs associated with kinetic systems.
The technology is not without limitations, with range cited as a current drawback compared to laser weapons. However, proponents point to manageable power requirements, resilience against common countermeasures and effectiveness against swarms as reasons for investment in the capability.
Post Image Credit: Epirus
Follow C-UAS Hub on LinkedIn for regular counter-UAS content updates.
