Next-Gen Defense: Inside the Leonidas Directed Energy Breakthrough

Soldiers running from armored vehicles with red smoke.

The U.S. Marine Corps is set to receive a groundbreaking weapon that could revolutionize defense against drone swarms.

At a Glance

Epirus to deliver Leonidas Expeditionary, a high-power microwave weapon prototype, to Marines by year-end
Part of $5.5 million Expeditionary Directed Energy Counter-Swarm (ExDECS) initiative
System designed to neutralize swarm-based threats, addressing urgent military need
Compact, lightweight design intended for Joint Light Tactical Vehicle trailer mounting

Advancing Counter-Swarm Defense Technology

In a significant development for U.S. military capabilities, defense technology company Epirus is poised to deliver a new high-power microwave weapon prototype, the Leonidas Expeditionary, to the Marine Corps by the end of the year. This advancement comes as part of a $5.5 million contract under the Defense Department’s Expeditionary Directed Energy Counter-Swarm (ExDECS) initiative.

The ExDECS initiative, involving the Office of Naval Research, Marine Corps Warfighting Lab, and Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office (JCO), aims to develop cost-effective tools to counter enemy drones, particularly when deployed in swarms. This focus aligns with recent guidance from Marine Commandant Gen. Eric Smith, who emphasized the critical need for counter-drone technologies.

JUST IN: The U.S. Army has awarded Epirus a $66 million contract for our Leonidas counter-swarm systems. More details: https://t.co/QzOud1ivKU pic.twitter.com/ySj55Rn6pK

— Epirus (@epirus) January 23, 2023

Leonidas Expeditionary: Compact and Powerful

The Leonidas Expeditionary is a scaled-down version of Epirus’ Leonidas high-power microwave product, designed for enhanced mobility and versatility. This compact system is intended to fit on a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle trailer, making it easily deployable in various combat scenarios. The ExDECS system represents a more mobile iteration of the Army’s Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High-Power Microwave (IFPC-HPM) systems.

“In a basic sense, ExDECS is a scaled down version of the IFPC-HPM systems with roughly 1/3 the amount of [Line Replaceable Amplifier Modules] for advanced mobility,” a corporate spokesperson told DefenseScoop.

A key feature of the Leonidas Expeditionary is its use of Line Replaceable Amplifier Modules (LRAMs). This modular approach eliminates single points of failure and allows for scalability, enhancing the system’s reliability and adaptability in the field.

Testing and Future Integration

Epirus is set to deliver one ExDECS prototype to Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren for testing and evaluation later this year. Following this, the system will be provided to the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab by the end of 2024. These steps are crucial in assessing the system’s effectiveness and potential for widespread deployment.

“We must continue to capture the lessons being learned in blood on active battlefields from Ukraine to the Middle East. We should pay special attention to the increasing importance of … the proliferation and effectiveness of drones, loitering munitions, and uncrewed systems,” Smith wrote.

Future plans for the Leonidas Expeditionary include integration with the U.S. Marine Corps’ Common Aviation Command and Control System (CAC2S). This integration, coupled with field experimentation, aims to enhance Ground Based Air Defense Capabilities, providing a comprehensive defense strategy against aerial threats.

The development of the Leonidas Expeditionary system represents a significant step forward in military technology, offering a powerful and flexible solution to the growing threat of drone swarms. As the system progresses through testing and evaluation, it has the potential to become a crucial component in the U.S. military’s defense arsenal, safeguarding troops and assets against evolving aerial threats.