Army Integrated Leonidas Microwave Weapon into Command Network
The integration allows for interoperability between counter-drone systems and weapons.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Robotics
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Epirus has successfully integrated the Leonidas microwave weapon system into a U.S. Army command network during Operation Jailbreak Falcon Fury. This integration is designed to move beyond proprietary, single-vendor software stacks for drone defense.
Why it matters
Operation Jailbreak facilitates data sharing between diverse sensors and weapons, addressing the limitations of closed command architectures. This approach allows operators to select specific defensive systems based on the threat.
The system utilizes bursts of microwave energy to overload drone electronics. During an August 2025 test at Camp Atterbury, a single burst disabled 49 drones, demonstrating significant efficiency compared to earlier manual or single-target systems.
The players
Epirus
A defense technology firm specializing in high-power microwave systems and software-defined radio for counter-electronics applications.
U.S. Army
The land service branch of the U.S. military that has tested Leonidas for over three years as part of its drone defense modernization.
General Dynamics Land Systems
A defense contractor providing the tracked vehicle platforms used for mounting the mobile Leonidas weapon system.
Kodiak AI
A software company focused on autonomous driving technology that collaborated on the development of the autonomous ground vehicle version.
The details
Leonidas functions by emitting targeted microwave energy that overwhelms the electronic components of unmanned aerial vehicles. By linking these sensors into a broader command network, the system allows operators to synchronize responses across multiple assets. This removes the reliance on closed, proprietary software, enabling the weapon to interface with various military sensor suites to identify and neutralize incoming threats.
Timeline
January 2023: Army awarded a $66.1 million contract for four prototypes.
March 2024: Epirus delivered four prototypes to the Army.
October 2024: Army paid Epirus $17 million for sensor upgrades.
July 2025: Army ordered two second-generation systems for $43.5 million.
August 2025: Leonidas disabled 61 drones during a demonstration in Indiana.
The Tech Race
This integration marks a shift toward unified defense architectures managed by the U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office. It competes against legacy, closed-system point defenses by prioritizing interoperability across existing command chains.
This development moves the technology toward active field use by enabling existing command networks to control drone defense assets directly. While specific deployment dates remain unannounced, the integration signifies a transition from standalone prototypes to networked, multi-sensor military hardware.
The takeaway
The move toward open-architecture microwave weapons signals a shift in how the military manages drone defense at scale. Watch for performance data from the upcoming Association of the U.S. Army annual meeting in October 2026 to see how the system performs on its autonomous platform.
What happens next
Epirus is scheduled to exhibit the Leonidas GV mobile defense system at the Association of the U.S. Army annual meeting on October 12-14, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the latest developments in modular battlefield systems, see Robotics.
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