Epirus and General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) have jointly revealed the Leonidas-U—a new unmanned counter-drone platform integrating high-power microwave (HPM) technology onto a robotic ground vehicle. Designed to neutralize swarming UAV threats autonomously or remotely, the Leonidas-U represents a significant evolution in mobile short-range air defense (SHORAD) capabilities.
Leonidas-U: Marrying HPM With Robotic Mobility
The Leonidas-U is a fusion of Epirus’s scalable high-power microwave system—Leonidas—and GDLS’s advanced unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) platform. The system was publicly unveiled at the 2025 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting in Washington D.C., showcasing its potential as a mobile counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) solution for contested environments.
Unlike conventional kinetic or laser-based C-UAS systems that may struggle with saturation attacks or line-of-sight limitations, Leonidas-U employs directed energy in the form of electromagnetic pulses to disable multiple drones simultaneously within its engagement arc. Mounted on GDLS’s modular TRX UGV chassis—a tracked robotic combat vehicle designed for autonomy and remote operation—the system can maneuver across varied terrain while keeping operators at standoff distances.
Technical Capabilities and Target Set
Leonidas’s core strength lies in its solid-state HPM array capable of emitting precisely directed bursts of electromagnetic energy. These pulses can disrupt or permanently disable electronic components inside drones—including flight controllers, navigation systems (GPS/GNSS), and communication links—without reliance on kinetic interceptors.
- Engagement Mode: Wide-area or narrow-beam targeting via software-defined beam steering.
- Power Source: Onboard hybrid power generation with battery-buffered capacitive discharge for rapid pulse cycling.
- Effect Radius: Estimated effective range of several hundred meters against Class I/II UAVs; actual figures remain classified.
- Mobility Platform: Based on GDLS TRX—a low-profile tracked UGV capable of semi-autonomous navigation and teleoperation.
- Sensors & Integration: Compatible with radar/EO-IR cueing systems; potential integration into layered SHORAD/C2 architecture via ATAK or similar networks.
The system is designed to counter Group 1–3 drones (under ~600 kg), including quadcopters, fixed-wing loitering munitions, and swarm formations. Its non-kinetic nature allows safe use near friendly forces or critical infrastructure without collateral damage from explosive intercepts.
Tactical Role in Future SHORAD Ecosystems
The proliferation of low-cost drones on modern battlefields—evident in Ukraine and other recent conflicts—has exposed vulnerabilities in traditional air defense networks. Saturation attacks by FPV drones or loitering munitions can overwhelm point-defense systems reliant on missiles or guns. Leonidas-U addresses this gap by offering:
- Saturation Defense: Simultaneous neutralization of multiple airborne threats without ammunition expenditure.
- Tactical Mobility: Deployment alongside mechanized units without requiring heavy logistics tail.
- Crew Safety: Remote operation reduces exposure to enemy fire during forward deployments.
- CUE Integration: Compatible with existing radar/EO sensors for automated threat detection and tracking.
The U.S. Army has already fielded Epirus’s original truck-mounted Leonidas variant for testing under its Indirect Fire Protection Capability – High Power Microwave (IFPC-HPM) effort. The new unmanned version could complement manned platforms like Stryker-based M-SHORAD vehicles by filling niche roles such as convoy protection, base perimeter defense, or gap-filling in denied areas where GPS jamming may limit drone effectiveness but not fully prevent incursions.
A Modular Path Forward for Directed Energy Integration
The partnership between Epirus and GDLS reflects a broader trend toward modularity and autonomy in next-generation defense systems. By decoupling directed energy payloads from manned vehicles and enabling remote/autonomous operation, militaries gain flexibility to scale defenses quickly across dispersed formations or austere theaters where manpower is limited.
This approach aligns with the Pentagon’s Replicator initiative—aimed at fielding thousands of attritable autonomous systems—and complements other efforts like the Maneuver Short Range Air Defense Increment II program seeking advanced non-kinetic solutions against UAVs and cruise missiles alike.
Status, Testing & Future Procurement Outlook
No formal procurement contract has been announced yet for Leonidas-U; however, both companies confirmed that live-fire tests have been conducted successfully against multiple drone types under controlled conditions. Further evaluations are expected under Army Futures Command experimentation pathways such as Project Convergence or DEVCOM assessments at Yuma Proving Ground.
If adopted into service—either by U.S. forces or allied militaries—it could enter Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) within two years depending on funding lines under programs like C-sUAS Office initiatives or Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT). NATO partners facing similar drone saturation threats may also express interest given its expeditionary profile and interoperability potential within coalition frameworks.
