The US Marines plans to deploy a next-generation high-power microwave (HPM) system capable of simultaneously intercepting multiple drones to enhance its anti-drone capabilities.
Epirus, a US-based counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) manufacturer, is developing the new HPM system – known as Leonidas Expeditionary – in collaboration with the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Joint Counter-Small UAS Office, and US Marine Corps Warfighting Lab.
Epirus is developing the Leonidas Expeditionary – with the program name Expeditionary Directed Energy Counter-Swarm (ExDECS) – as part of a $5.5 million contract award from the US Navy’s ONR.
Epirus will deliver a completed ExDECS HPM system to the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab by the end of 2024 as part of the contract.
Long-pulse microwave C-UAS
Leonidas Expeditionary is a solid-state, software-defined, long-pulse HPM C-UAS developed to support US Marine Corps Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) and counter-unmanned systems missions.
A spokesperson of Epirus told IE on September 30 that Leonidas Expeditionary is capable of defeating any amount of Group 1-2 UAS that enter its field of protection.
He added that the new HPM can continuously engage multiple groups of targets.
“In simpler terms, we can defeat multiple drones at once—and multiple swarms over a period of engagement.”
The compact and easily maneuverable system makes ExDECS operationally relevant to any expeditionary force mission set.
The program’s future will involve initial integration with the US Marine Corps’ Common Aviation Command and Control System (CAC2S), along with field experimentation and multi-platform testing in expeditionary scenarios to enhance the USMC’s Ground-Based Air Defense Capabilities.
Improving scalability
Leonidas Expeditionary, or ExDECS, is the latest Leonidas HPM C-UAS product suite derivative.
It utilizes the Epirus approach to HPM, dramatically reducing the C-UAS’s size and weight and enabling greater operator control.
The modular and scalable system is designed to fit on a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) trailer and complement Low Altitude Air Defense in expeditionary operations.
“The Leonidas Expeditionary announcement highlights the scalability of our [Epirus] HPM systems,” the spokesperson stated.
He said a solid-state Line Replaceable Amplifier Module (LRAM) architecture is the essential “building block” of all Epirus HPM systems.
The LRAM architecture mitigates the risk of a ‘single point of failure’—a common challenge for vacuum-tube-based systems—by enabling graceful degradation to maintain operational effectiveness.
“The LRAM is also, in part, what unlocks unprecedented scalability for our systems. In a basic sense, ExDECS is a scaled-down version of the IFPC-HPM C-UAS with roughly 1/3 the amount of LRAMs for advanced mobility,” the spokesperson said.
He added that developing new form factors involves tech nuances, but ExDECS reflects the scalability of Epirus technology to meet specific use cases and requirements.
“With the scalability of our systems, which ExDECS is a prime example of, we’re able to develop new form factors that align with customer requirements.”
“If a static system is best for a customer use case—we can build it. If requirements dictate a semi-fixed solution—we can build it. If you need a mobile solution (ExDECS, Leonidas Stryker), or HPM built specifically for vehicle protection, we can build it,” according to the spokesperson.
He said the LRAM architecture unlocks unprecedented scalability to support the development of customer-specific form factors.
Epirus recently took part in the US Navy’s Advanced Naval Technology Exercise Coastal Trident Program (ANTX-CT24) to demonstrate its technology’s ability to counter autonomous surface vessels.
Kamikaze USVs pose an asymmetric threat to target ships due to their size, boat forms, and advantages in radar and optical systems, even in normal sea, air, and visibility conditions. Earlier this year, a Ukrainian drone destroyed a $65 million Russian warship.
Taking lessons from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the US Navy has initiated inducting such HPM C-UAS.
Local News
