Microwaves Against the Swarm: A New Phase in US Counter-Drone Strategy.

The U.S. Army is expanding its efforts to counter emerging threats by investing in breakthrough technologies. Among them, microwave weapons now stand at the center of a new initiative designed to address the growing use of drones on contemporary battlefields. On July 17, 2025, the Los Angeles-based technology firm Epirus announced a $43.5 million contract with the Army for the development of a new generation of microwave systems, designed to disable entire drone swarms with a single pulse.
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Leonidas is a next-generation High-Power Microwave (HPM) system developed by Epirus, specifically designed to neutralize a wide range of electronic threats, starting with drones and drone swarms (Picture source: Epirus)

This high-power electromagnetic pulse technology had already been tested in previous operational trials. During an exercise conducted on April 30, 2025, at Naval Station Leovigildo Gantioqui in the Philippines, the Epirus system demonstrated its ability to neutralize multiple drones simultaneously in a tropical environment. According to Captain Bray McCollum, cited in a U.S. Army release, the exercise confirmed the system’s effectiveness under demanding climate conditions, which constitutes a necessary step toward operational readiness.

Leonidas is a next-generation High-Power Microwave (HPM) system developed by Epirus, specifically designed to neutralize a wide range of electronic threats, starting with drones and drone swarms. Built on gallium nitride (GaN)-based solid-state technology and utilizing long-pulse high-energy emissions, Leonidas relies on a fully software-defined architecture. This allows for continuous performance optimization without the need for hardware changes, by adapting range and efficiency through each software update. The system is modular and available in several configurations, including a fixed installation, a mobile version that can be mounted on vehicles, and a pod format suitable for airborne or ground-based platforms. This flexibility gives it high operational adaptability across various deployment environments.

Among its key technical features, Leonidas offers a reduced Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) profile, full compatibility with existing command-and-control networks (notably FAAD C2), safety for personnel and friendly systems, and an extremely low cost per engagement. The use of line-replaceable amplifier modules enables rapid maintenance and easy upgrades to new configurations. Validated by the U.S. Department of Defense, Leonidas is part of the Army’s Indirect Fire Protection Capability–High-Power Microwave (IFPC-HPM) initiative and stands as a directed-energy electronic warfare solution that is production-ready and designed to address the growing threat of mass-produced, low-cost aerial systems.

The contract marks a transition toward an upgraded system featuring double the range and increased output. This shift reflects the need to address the rapid spread of low-cost drones, frequently deployed in swarms capable of saturating traditional defense mechanisms. Epirus CEO Andy Lowery emphasized that drone incursions are no longer limited to conflict zones, pointing to incidents near military sites on U.S. territory, including areas along the southern border.

Current U.S. counter-drone measures rely on a mix of electronic warfare and precision-guided munitions. While effective in some scenarios, these methods can be expensive and limited in scope when facing large-scale drone deployments. Microwave-based systems offer a lower-cost alternative, with the potential to disable multiple targets simultaneously by affecting their onboard electronics, regardless of how they are controlled. Unlike kinetic weapons that require individual targeting, this approach enables broad-area neutralization in a single activation.

However, the technology faces limitations. Analysts note that no single capability can fully address a threat that continues to evolve. In a report published in May, Neil Hart of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute argued that resilient air defenses must be based on a layered architecture combining kinetic interceptors, electronic warfare, and directed-energy solutions. He also cautioned against relying too heavily on any one system, noting that adversaries are likely to develop countermeasures, including hardened electronics and tethered drones less susceptible to jamming.

The Army’s investment in microwave weapons forms part of a broader effort to adapt to shifting patterns of aerial threat. The agreement with Epirus signals progress toward fielding systems that are cost-effective and operationally responsive. Still, as experts underline, their success will depend on integration into a comprehensive defense framework and continued adaptation to the evolving tactics and technologies of potential adversaries.