Within Variants
Can Microwave Defence Keep Up With Troops?
Stryker Leonidas shows how high-power microwave counter-drone defence can move with troops instead of guarding only fixed sites.
On this page
- Why vehicle mounting changed the mission
- What the Stryker integration reused and adapted
- What mobile counter drone defence still has to prove
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Introduction
Stryker Leonidas exists because the drone threat no longer stays around fixed bases. Small unmanned aircraft now accompany military operations across entire battlefields, forcing armies to protect moving formations rather than only static facilities. By mounting the Leonidas high-power microwave (HPM) system on the Stryker armoured vehicle, Epirus and General Dynamics Land Systems sought to turn a counter-drone capability into a manoeuvre asset that could travel with combat units, respond quickly to emerging threats and provide protection wherever troops operate. [Epirus]epirusinc.comEpirusEpirus, General Dynamics Land Systems Unveil Integrated…5 Oct 2022 — The companies have successfully integrated Epirus' high-pow…
The result was not simply a new vehicle variant. Stryker Leonidas became a demonstration of how directed-energy weapons could be integrated into an existing combat vehicle fleet, giving microwave-based counter-drone defence the mobility, survivability and battlefield presence needed for modern operations. [Epirus]epirusinc.comEpirusEpirus, General Dynamics Land Systems Unveil Integrated…5 Oct 2022 — The companies have successfully integrated Epirus' high-pow…
Why Vehicle Mounting Changed the Mission
Earlier Leonidas configurations were designed primarily as ground-based counter-drone systems. Effective though they were, fixed or semi-fixed systems create a gap when military units leave protected areas and move across contested terrain. The growth of cheap reconnaissance drones, loitering munitions and swarm attacks has made that gap increasingly dangerous. [Wikipedia]WikipediaEpirus LeonidasEpirus Leonidas
The Stryker integration addressed this problem by shifting microwave defence from site protection to force protection. Instead of defending a single location, the system could accompany armoured formations, convoy operations and dispersed manoeuvre units. Epirus specifically described the integration as bringing counter-electronics capabilities to the front lines and supporting the manoeuvre force rather than remaining tied to rear-area installations. [Epirus]epirusinc.comEpirusEpirus, General Dynamics Land Systems Unveil Integrated…5 Oct 2022 — The companies have successfully integrated Epirus' high-pow…
This mobility matters because high-power microwaves offer a different defensive logic from missiles or guns. A microwave system can potentially affect multiple drones within its engagement area at once, making it attractive against swarm attacks that could overwhelm conventional interceptors. When that capability moves with troops, commanders gain a defensive layer that is available throughout an operation rather than only around pre-planned defended sites. [The War Zone]twz.comarmy puts 50m bet on next gen leonidas high power microwave counter drone techThe War ZoneArmy Puts $43M Bet On Next Gen Leonidas High Power…Jul 17, 2025 — It does so by transmitting long-pulse microwave energy a…
A second motivation was integration into mobile short-range air defence concepts. General Dynamics highlighted Stryker Leonidas as a way to add another layer to manoeuvre short-range air defence, combining vehicle mobility with an electronic defeat mechanism that does not rely on traditional ammunition expenditure. [General Dynamics]gd.comgeneral dynamics business units to participate in ausa 2022General DynamicsGeneral Dynamics Business Units to Participate in AUSA…4 Oct 2022 — Stryker Leonidas: This technology demonstrator add…
What the Stryker Integration Reused and Adapted
One reason Stryker Leonidas attracted attention was that it did not require the creation of an entirely new combat vehicle. Instead, developers paired the Leonidas microwave array with one of the US Army’s most widely fielded armoured vehicle families. [Epirus]epirusinc.comEpirusEpirus, General Dynamics Land Systems Unveil Integrated…5 Oct 2022 — The companies have successfully integrated Epirus' high-pow…
This approach reused several advantages already present in the Stryker ecosystem:
- Established mobility: The Stryker was already designed to move with combat formations across varied terrain.
- Existing logistics and support structures: Armies familiar with Stryker operations would not need a completely separate vehicle infrastructure.
- Survivability and battlefield presence: The platform offered protection and operational endurance beyond what a trailer-mounted system could provide.
- Network integration potential: The vehicle could operate alongside sensors and other air-defence assets already used by manoeuvre forces. [Epirus+2General Dynamics]epirusinc.comEpirusEpirus, General Dynamics Land Systems Unveil Integrated…5 Oct 2022 — The companies have successfully integrated Epirus' high-pow…
At the same time, the microwave weapon itself had to be adapted for vehicle use. Epirus emphasised a modular, software-defined architecture and solid-state design intended to reduce size, weight and deployment burdens while increasing manoeuvrability. Those characteristics made vehicle integration more practical than would have been the case for older, bulkier microwave technologies. [Epirus]epirusinc.comEpirusEpirus Leonidas High-Power Microwave: Directed Energy…Leonidas is a solid-state, high-power HPM system, utilizing Gallium Nitrid…
The speed of the programme was also notable. The companies moved from a teaming agreement in 2021 to a publicly unveiled integrated vehicle in 2022, suggesting that much of the effort focused on adapting an existing microwave capability to an established combat platform rather than creating both from scratch. [Epirus]epirusinc.comEpirusEpirus, General Dynamics Land Systems Unveil Integrated…5 Oct 2022 — The companies have successfully integrated Epirus' high-pow…
Why the Stryker Was a Logical Choice
The selection of the Stryker reflected operational considerations as much as engineering ones. The vehicle already occupied an important place in US Army brigade formations, making it a natural test bed for a capability intended to accompany ground forces. [Epirus]epirusinc.comEpirusEpirus, General Dynamics Land Systems Unveil Integrated…5 Oct 2022 — The companies have successfully integrated Epirus' high-pow…
Using a familiar combat vehicle also allowed developers to demonstrate a broader argument: microwave weapons do not have to remain specialised experimental systems. If they can be mounted on mainstream military platforms, they become easier to imagine as part of future force structures. The Stryker version therefore served as a visible proof-of-concept for integrating directed-energy counter-drone systems into everyday military operations. [Epirus]epirusinc.comEpirusEpirus, General Dynamics Land Systems Unveil Integrated…5 Oct 2022 — The companies have successfully integrated Epirus' high-pow…
The vehicle additionally helped showcase one of Leonidas’ central selling points—countering multiple electronic threats without consuming traditional interceptors. In an era when inexpensive drones can force defenders to expend costly missiles, a mobile microwave system promises a different economic model for battlefield air defence. [The War Zone]twz.comarmy puts 50m bet on next gen leonidas high power microwave counter drone techThe War ZoneArmy Puts $43M Bet On Next Gen Leonidas High Power…Jul 17, 2025 — It does so by transmitting long-pulse microwave energy a…
What Mobile Counter-Drone Defence Still Has to Prove
Although Stryker Leonidas demonstrated the feasibility of mounting microwave defence on a combat vehicle, several operational questions remain.
The first concerns battlefield performance under realistic conditions. Demonstrations have shown the ability to defeat individual drones and swarms, but military users still need evidence across varied weather, terrain, electromagnetic environments and operational tempos. Field demonstrations have been encouraging, yet sustained operational experience remains more valuable than controlled tests. [Epirus]epirusinc.comEpirusEpirus, General Dynamics Land Systems Unveil Integrated…5 Oct 2022 — The companies have successfully integrated Epirus' high-pow…
Another question is how microwave systems fit into layered air-defence networks. Most militaries do not expect a single technology to solve the drone problem. Instead, microwaves, electronic warfare, guns, missiles and sensors are likely to operate together. Stryker Leonidas therefore has to prove not only that it can defeat drones, but that it can do so effectively as part of a larger defensive architecture. [Epirus]epirusinc.comEpirusEpirus - Home of Leonidas, the Premier High-Power…Epirus combines the latest in directed energy, long-pulse high-power microwave…
Finally, there is the challenge of keeping pace with evolving threats. Drone designs continue to change, including systems that reduce dependence on traditional radio-frequency links. Recent Leonidas testing against fibre-optic-controlled drones highlights how developers are already adapting to new threat types, but mobile microwave defence will need to continue evolving as drone technology advances. [Calibre Defence]calibredefence.co.ukepirus zaps fibre optic fpv with leonidas microwave weaponCalibre DefenceEpirus zaps fibre-optic FPV with Leonidas microwave…28 Jan 2026 — Epirus has developed a microwave weapon called Leonid…
The Broader Significance of Stryker Leonidas
Within the wider Leonidas family, the Stryker variant represented a critical transition from protecting locations to protecting movement. It demonstrated that high-power microwave counter-drone systems could be mounted on a front-line combat vehicle, integrated into manoeuvre operations and positioned wherever troops needed protection. [Epirus]epirusinc.comEpirusEpirus, General Dynamics Land Systems Unveil Integrated…5 Oct 2022 — The companies have successfully integrated Epirus' high-pow…
That shift explains why Stryker Leonidas became an important milestone among Leonidas variants. The programme was not merely about placing a microwave weapon on an armoured vehicle; it was about proving that directed-energy defence could keep up with the forces it was meant to protect. [gdls-ausa.com]gdls-ausa.comStryker Leonidas – General Dynamics Land SystemsThe Stryker Leonidas system utilizes Epirus' solid-state, software-defined, long-pulse hi…
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Endnotes
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Source: gdls-ausa.com
Link: https://gdls-ausa.com/stryker-leonidas/Source snippet
Stryker Leonidas – General Dynamics Land SystemsThe Stryker Leonidas system utilizes Epirus' solid-state, software-defined, long-pulse hi...
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Source: Wikipedia
Title: Epirus Leonidas
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epirus_Leonidas -
Source: youtube.com
Title: Stryker Leonidas: Mobile Counter-Electronics System
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQGcdlmfwAASource snippet
Epirus GDLS: Stryker Leonidas, Surveillance Drone Destroyer...
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Source: youtube.com
Title: Epirus GDLS: Stryker Leonidas, Surveillance Drone Destroyer
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbbQ6KyTZecSource snippet
Stryker Leonidas Technology Unveils Drone-Killing Microwave Weapon...
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Source: epirusinc.com
Link: https://www.epirusinc.com/press-releases/epirus-general-dynamics-land-systems-unveil-integrated-counter-electronics-system-stryker-leonidasSource snippet
EpirusEpirus, General Dynamics Land Systems Unveil Integrated...5 Oct 2022 — The companies have successfully integrated Epirus' high-pow...
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Source: epirusinc.com
Link: https://www.epirusinc.com/electronic-warfareSource snippet
EpirusEpirus Leonidas High-Power Microwave: Directed Energy...Leonidas is a solid-state, high-power HPM system, utilizing Gallium Nitrid...
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Source: twz.com
Title: army puts 50m bet on next gen leonidas high power microwave counter drone tech
Link: https://www.twz.com/land/army-puts-50m-bet-on-next-gen-leonidas-high-power-microwave-counter-drone-techSource snippet
The War ZoneArmy Puts $43M Bet On Next Gen Leonidas High Power...Jul 17, 2025 — It does so by transmitting long-pulse microwave energy a...
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Source: gd.com
Title: general dynamics business units to participate in ausa 2022
Link: https://www.gd.com/Articles/2022/10/04/general-dynamics-business-units-to-participate-in-ausa-2022Source snippet
General DynamicsGeneral Dynamics Business Units to Participate in AUSA...4 Oct 2022 — Stryker Leonidas: This technology demonstrator add...
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Source: defence-industry.eu
Title: epirus and gdls unveil integrated counter electronics system stryker leonidas
Link: https://defence-industry.eu/epirus-and-gdls-unveil-integrated-counter-electronics-system-stryker-leonidas/Source snippet
Epirus and GDLS unveil integrated counter-electronics...10 Oct 2022 — The companies have successfully integrated Epirus' high-power micr...
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Source: epirusinc.com
Link: https://www.epirusinc.com/Source snippet
EpirusEpirus - Home of Leonidas, the Premier High-Power...Epirus combines the latest in directed energy, long-pulse high-power microwave...
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Source: calibredefence.co.uk
Title: epirus zaps fibre optic fpv with leonidas microwave weapon
Link: https://www.calibredefence.co.uk/epirus-zaps-fibre-optic-fpv-with-leonidas-microwave-weapon/Source snippet
Calibre DefenceEpirus zaps fibre-optic FPV with Leonidas microwave...28 Jan 2026 — Epirus has developed a microwave weapon called Leonid...
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Source: epirusinc.com
Link: https://www.epirusinc.com/press-releases/epirus-general-dynamics-land-systems-partner-on-leonidas-autonomous-robotic-for-mobile-counter-uasSource snippet
Epirus, General Dynamics Land Systems Partner on...9 Oct 2025 — In 2022, the companies introduced Leonidas Stryker, which features the L...
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Source: epirusinc.com
Link: https://www.epirusinc.com/press-releases/epirus-general-dynamics-land-systems-and-kodiak-ai-unveil-new-autonomous-hpm-system-for-counter-uasSource snippet
liver a counter-UAS capability that rapidly maneuvers to defeat drone swarms...Read more...
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Source: tectonicdefense.com
Title: epirus and general dynamics team up on c uas robotic ground vehicle
Link: https://www.tectonicdefense.com/epirus-and-general-dynamics-team-up-on-c-uas-robotic-ground-vehicle/Source snippet
Epirus and General Dynamics Team Up on c-UAS Robotic...9 Oct 2025 — The big-time prime and Epirus rolled out the Leonidas Stryker, a mob...
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Source: facebook.com
Link: https://www.facebook.com/generaldynamicslandsystems/posts/today-at-ausa-global-force-2026-we-unveiled-the-leonidas-autonomous-ground-vehic/1794163835235829/Source snippet
General Dynamics Land SystemsThe Epirus Leonidas HPM weapon on GDLS Stryker shows how to neutralize drone swarms with precision. DRDO mus...
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Source: defence-industry.eu
Link: https://defence-industry.eu/epirus-and-general-dynamics-unveil-leonidas-ar-robotic-counter-uas-system-with-hpm-technology/Source snippet
Epirus and General Dynamics unveil Leonidas AR robotic...10 Oct 2025 — The TRX robotic vehicle, which powers Leonidas AR, is designed fo...
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Source: microwavejournal.com
Link: https://www.microwavejournal.com/articles/44868-epirus-general-dynamics-land-systems-partner-on-leonidas-autonomous-robotic-for-mobile-counter-uasSource snippet
Epirus, General Dynamics Land Systems Partner on...14 Oct 2025 — Leonidas AR is the second mobile counter-UAS system co-developed by Epi...
Additional References
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Source: tomshardware.com
Title: Tom’s Hardware High-power microwave system downs 49 drones in [one shot]({{ ‘one-shot/’ | relative_url }})
Link: https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/high-power-microwave-system-downs-49-drones-in-one-shot-weaponized-electromagnetic-interference-erases-drone-swarms-en-masseSource snippet
electronics warfare company, successfully demonstrated a major advancement in counter-drone technology with its Leonidas high-power micro...
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Source: armyrecognition.com
Title: u s demonstrates microwave weapon defeating fiber optic fpv drones
Link: https://armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/2026/u-s-demonstrates-microwave-weapon-defeating-fiber-optic-fpv-dronesSource snippet
U.S. Demonstrates Microwave Weapon Defeating Fiber...2 Feb 2026 — Live-fire test shows Epirus' Leonidas microwave system disabling jam-r...
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Source: youtube.com
Title: Microwave power: Stryker Leonidas is modern, maneuverable and drone destroyer
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLhHf47Iv4ISource snippet
Stryker Leonidas mobile high power microwave vehicle Stryker Leonidas Technology Unveils Drone-Killing Microwave Weapon Sunday Post...
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Source: army-technology.com
Title: leonidas high power microwave hpm system usa
Link: https://www.army-technology.com/projects/leonidas-high-power-microwave-hpm-system-usa/Source snippet
Leonidas High-Power Microwave System, USAug 9, 2024 — Leonidas is a high-power microwave (HPM) technology-based directed energy weapon sy...
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Source: interestingengineering.com
Title: us worlds first microwave pulse firing robot
Link: https://interestingengineering.com/military/us-worlds-first-microwave-pulse-firing-robotSource snippet
World's first microwave-armed robot zaps drone swarms in...Oct 9, 2025 — In 2022, the companies introduced Leonidas Stryker, which mount...
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Source: reddit.com
Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/TankPorn/comments/1h3dyft/stryker_leonidas_armed_with_highpower_microwave/Source snippet
he electronics of an entire [drone swarm]({{ 'swarm-limits/' | relative_url }}) in SHORAD distance.Read more...
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Source: facebook.com
Link: https://www.facebook.com/themilitarychannelusa/posts/read-the-american-defense-technology-company-epirus-released-footage-confirming-/122182740638902462/Source snippet
mpleted initial government acceptance testing of its...Read more...
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Source: linkedin.com
Title: Keith King’s Post Key Strategic Points: 1
Link: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/keith-king-03a172128_us-unveils-first-autonomous-microwave-weapon-activity-7403116032594391040-FPf9Source snippet
Keith King's PostKey Strategic Points: 1 - Countering drone swarms with microwaves: - By using high-power microwave (HPM) weapons, the Le...
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Source: tomshardware.com
Link: https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/autonomous-mobile-drone-swarm-killer-created-in-trilateral-us-defense-company-collab-the-new-leonidas-autonomous-ground-vehicle-agv-is-a-high-power-microwave-platformSource snippet
Autonomous mobile drone swarm killer created in trilateral...24 Mar 2026 — According to the AGV makers, it is effective against individu...
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Source: youtube.com
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unraT22a4zYSource snippet
eing developed to counter the threat of drone swarms...
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