Meet the Microwave Weapon That Zaps Swarms of Drones From the Sky

Key Points

1. Leonidas is a family of high-powered microwave systems developed by Epirus, designed to disable drones without precise aiming by blanketing an area.

2. Unlike laser-based weapons, Leonidas can disrupt multiple targets simultaneously due to its broader beam and electronic interference capabilities.

3. Ukraine's use of commercial drone swarms in warfare highlights the need for systems like Leonidas to counter multiple, low-cost drone threats.

4. The U.S. Army awarded Epirus a $17 million contract in October 2024, followed by a $250 million Series D funding round to accelerate production of Leonidas.

5. Leonidas incorporates AI to track and neutralize fast-moving drones and has potential applications beyond military use, including law enforcement.