Three U.S. companies — Epirus, General Dynamics Land Systems and Kodiak AI — have jointly developed a new vehicle capable of neutralizing drone swarms in mere seconds. According to its developers, the Leonidas Autonomous Ground Vehicle (AGV) is a self-driving counter-drone system that features a high-power microwave weapon and is built on the medium-truck chassis of a Ford F-600. The vehicle is outfitted with sensors, power distribution and other features necessary to support a combined system of a microwave weapon along with autonomous driving. Because the vehicle can operate without a driver or can be remotely controlled, it can be repositioned within an area, travel between interception points and patrol sensitive areas without exposing personnel to enemy fire. Further, the Epirus Leonidas is a high-power microwave weapon that produces pulsed electromagnetic energy capable of disrupting the electronics of a drone, thereby incurring failure of its navigation, propulsion or communication systems. The companies explained that because this effect is achieved via localized heating and induced electrical surges, the device’s beam area can counter swarm attacks where drones fly in close proximity. The microwave-based approach can, unlike laser-based systems that engage just one target at a time, engage several targets at once as long as there is sufficient onboard power and thermal management for sustained, repeat pulses.

Full report : A look at the Leonides, the drone swarm killer developed by Epirus with collaboration of General Dynamics Land Systems and Kodiak AI.

For more see the OODA Company Profile on Epirus.