Epirus Gets an Army Research Deal to Put Leonidas Microwave Weapons on Vehicles
Epirus announced an Oct. 13 research agreement with the Army's Ground Vehicle Systems Center to put Leonidas on vehicles. The Army told Congress it plans no more fixed-site buys.
The Army wants microwave weapons that move, and Epirus now has a research agreement and a restructured contract to get Leonidas onto vehicles.
Epirus has entered a cooperative research and development agreement with the Army's DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center, the company announced on Oct. 13. The partners will explore mounting Leonidas, its high-power microwave weapon, on Army ground vehicles. Three days later, Epirus secured an $18 million contract with the Army's Portfolio Acquisition Executive Fires to make Leonidas mobile, Tectonic Defense reported. The deal restructures a July 2025 award of $43.5 million for two fixed-site systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Epirus sign with the Army?
A cooperative research and development agreement with the Army's DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center, announced Oct. 13, to explore integrating Leonidas high-power microwave technology onto Army ground vehicles, per Epirus.
What is the $18 million contract?
Epirus secured an $18 million contract with the Army's PAE Fires to make Leonidas mobile and adaptable to different vehicles, Tectonic Defense reported on Oct. 16. Tectonic said it restructures a July 2025 award for two fixed-site systems.
Why is the Army moving away from fixed-site Leonidas?
The Army told the Congressional Research Service it planned no further IFPC-HPM procurement "at this time" after six prototypes. Epirus CEO Andy Lowery said PAE Fires rewrote the requirement so that directed energy in its 2030 short-range air defense layers is mobile.
Who else is building a mobile microwave weapon for the Army?
ThinKom Solutions announced an Army prototype agreement with a $49 million ceiling for Alecto, a mobile microwave system, with field testing planned in 2027, per ThinKom.
Which vehicles will carry Leonidas?
Epirus has not named the vehicles under the restructured contract. Lowery told Tectonic Defense the company will deliver a mix of Leonidas Ground Vehicle and smaller Leonidas Medium units.
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Marcus Schuler
Marcus Schuler edits BattlePolicy, a daily defense-technology brief connecting the companies and capabilities behind modern war to the contest among Europe, the US, Russia, and China.