News: Microelectronics
30 September 2025
Epirus’ GaN-based Leonidas high-power microwave system neutralizes all 61 drones in live-fire demo
Epirus Inc of Torrance, CA, USA says that, in an invitation-only demonstration on 26 August at Camp Atterbury, Indiana (attended by representatives from throughout the US Department of Defense, other US Government agencies and nine allied countries), its Leonidas solid-state high-power microwave (HPM) system — which uses gallium nitride (GaN) transistors to minimize size, weight and deployment time — delivered weaponized electromagnetic interference to counter swarms of robotic, asymmetric threats.
In a live-fire demonstration across five operationally relevant flight scenarios, Leonidas disabled all 61 drones. The system also defeated a 49-drone swarm consisting of two threat representative drone types, all with one instant and low-collateral pulse of high-energy electromagnetic interference.
“Leonidas is the only mission-capable, counter-swarm solution for the one-to-many fight,” reckons Epirus’ CEO Andy Lowery.
The event demonstrated the first generation of Leonidas, which was designed and developed using internal R&D funds in 2022. Epirus unveiled its latest version of Leonidas in July, which is expected to more than double the operational range and lethality over the 2022 system in the same form factor.
