The Army and other services are particularly interested in the Leonidas HPM’s potential as a defense against pop-up drone swarms, as Ukraine recently employed against Russia’s bomber fleet.
The US military is ramping up its counter-drone capabilities across the board, with the Pentagon creating a Joint Interservice Task Force aimed at developing cost effective defenses against battlefield drones. To that end, the US Army has contracted with Epirus to test the company’s new Generation II Leonidas High Power Microwave (HPM) system for the low-altitude air defense (LAAD) role.
Dubbed the Integrated Fires Protection Capability High-Power Microwave (IFPC-HPM) by the Army, the Gen II Leonidas HPM would be tasked with defending installations, platforms, such as Patriot Missile batteries, and troop formations. The system’s primary role would be defeating low-flying, unmanned craft, including drone swarms, for which it is uniquely suited. Potential ancillary roles could be expanded to include traditional aircraft or cruise missiles, and even ground or water-borne threats.
Unlike directed radio wave weapons—as being tested in the United Kingdom—the Leonidas HPM generates an electromagnetic field which radiates in all directions at once. Its effective range is unclear, but Epirus rates it as 2.5 times that of the Gen I model while keeping the same small size. This ubiquitous coverage area is ideal for countering drone swarms.
In theory, the field is intended to kill any drones that enter it by overloading their electronic systems. Epirus says this feature makes the Leonidas HPM quite cost-effective, since its expense is not measured by each shot as many other counter-drone weapons are.
Moreover, unlike past HPM systems, Leonidas is capable of generating its field over a sustained period of time. Older systems put out a powerful 10-nanosecond pulse, but Leonidas HPM extends that to a millisecond, and can run without external power for up to 30 minutes. A 70 kilowatt generator can extend Leonidas HPM’s operation for continuous use.
The Army and other services are particularly interested in the Leonidas HPM’s potential as a defense against pop-up drone swarms, as Ukraine recently employed to great effectiveness against the Russian bomber fleet and Israel used against Iran’s air defense network. Epirus envisions Leonidas being part of the Trump administration’s “Golden Dome” Project, which will include a layered defense, including the LAAD role.
Like all systems, Leonidas HPM does have a vulnerability. Its powerful electromagnetic field creates a large energy signature detectable from hundreds of miles away, making it a prime target for counter-battery missile fire. Epirus says it generates more electromagnetic interference than any other system in the world.
The company addresses that vulnerability by making the Leonidas compatible with mobile platforms so it can be quickly moved after each use. The system emits no signature when powered down. Leonidas can be up and running in 15 to 20 minutes from a cold start, so multiple units could effectively cover a given area while still maintaining mobility. Epirus says that Leonidas is “born to be mobile,” but the Army will decide which vehicles are appropriate and how they would be employed.
The Army will be testing two examples of the Gen II Leonidas HPM in November. Epirus expects a contract will follow, assuming the units perform to standards. The US Air Force is also looking at the system as a point defense weapon against drones targeting aircraft, as happened in Russia. US bases are particularly vulnerable to such attacks.
Epirus CEO Andy Lowery points out that the US military does not have a dedicated anti-drone service branch, unlike Russia, Ukraine, and Israel. He has argued that this is a mistake, as drones are ubiquitous and are likely to be a major part of any future war involving the United States. Lowery has argued that a similar American service branch is absolutely necessary for modern warfare. The Pentagon’s Joint Interservice Task Force may be the first step toward that end.
About the Author: William Lawson
William Lawson is a military historian focusing on World War II and 20th century conflicts and the American Civil War. His specialty is operational level warfare, especially American amphibious doctrine. He writes on history, politics, and firearms for multiple publications and historical journals. He serves on the editorial advisory board for the Saber & Scroll Journal and Military History Chronicles and is a member of the Society for Military History and the American Historical Association. Lawson is based in Virginia.
Image: Shutterstock / danka.
