Epirus has introduced its new high-power microwave (HPM) weapon being developed for the US Marine Corps (USMC).
On social media, the company shared the first look of its Leonidas Expeditionary, the latest in its family of Leonidas microwave weapons for disabling swarms of drones.
According to Epirus, the new product is designed to be compact and easily maneuverable, making it “operationally relevant” for USMC expeditionary missions.
It features a significant reduction in size and weight compared to its predecessors, enhancing both mobility and operator control.
Furthermore, the weapon boasts a modular and scalable design so it can be mounted on a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV).
Like other microwave weapons, the Leonidas Expeditionary can deliver short bursts of electromagnetic waves powerful enough to degrade the electrical components of drones.
The weapon is scheduled to be delivered to the USMC by the end of 2024 and will complement the service’s Low Altitude Air Defense system.
Response to Increasing Drone Threats
The development of the Leonidas Expeditionary aligns with a broader US military effort to acquire cost-effective solutions for countering drone threats.
Marine Commandant Gen. Eric Smith emphasized the urgent need for more counter-drone technologies in light of the increasing use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
“We must continue to capture the lessons being learned in blood on active battlefields from Ukraine to the Middle East,” Smith noted. “We should pay special attention to the increasing importance of … the proliferation and effectiveness of drones, loitering munitions, and uncrewed systems.”
Once delivered, Epirus will integrate the Leonidas Expeditionary with the USMC’s Common Aviation Command-and-Control System.
The weapon will then undergo field experimentation and multi-platform testing in realistic expeditionary scenarios.
“With drone warfare dominating daily headlines, we are proud to bring [Leonidas Expeditionary] to life and work with the Marine Corps to develop an expeditionary HPM capability,” Epirus CEO Andy Lowery stated.