Within Swarms
How Swarms Fight Back Against Microwaves
Dispersed formations and hardened electronics can reduce how many drones a microwave system affects at once.
On this page
- Why spacing reduces wide area exposure
- How shielding changes electronic vulnerability
- Why layered defences remain necessary
Page outline Jump by section
Introduction
High-power microwave (HPM) weapons are often presented as an answer to drone swarms because a single pulse can affect many drones at once. That advantage, however, depends on the swarm remaining concentrated within the weapon’s effective footprint and on the drones remaining electronically vulnerable. As microwave counter-drone systems mature, attackers have strong incentives to adapt by spreading drones across larger areas and by hardening their electronics against electromagnetic attack. The result is an ongoing competition between defensive systems designed for wide-area effects and swarm operators seeking to reduce the number of drones exposed to any single pulse. Evidence from military programmes and technical studies suggests that spacing and hardening cannot make drones immune to microwave weapons, but they can reduce the efficiency of the one-to-many engagement model that gives such systems their appeal. [C4ISRNet]c4isrnet.comArmy to counter drone swarms as part of the service's Indirect Fire Protection CapabilityC4ISRNetArmy gets first high-power microwave prototype to counter …November 1, 2023 — 1 Nov 2023 — Epirus has delivered the first proto…
Why Spacing Reduces Wide-Area Exposure
The effectiveness of a microwave defence depends partly on geometry. A weapon may project energy across a broad sector, but the number of drones affected in a single engagement is influenced by how densely those drones occupy the targeted airspace.
Modern HPM systems are explicitly designed to exploit swarm concentration. Systems such as Leonidas, THOR and RapidDestroyer are promoted on the basis that they can disable multiple drones simultaneously rather than engaging each aircraft individually. [Epirus+2Wikipedia]epirusinc.comTap to unmute.Read moreEpirusEpirus' Leonidas High-Power Microwave Defeats 49-Drone …10 Sept 2025 — Leonidas neutralized 61-of-61 drones, culminating in a 49-…
For swarm operators, this creates a clear tactical incentive: avoid presenting a dense target set.
Dispersed formations can complicate microwave engagements in several ways:
- Fewer drones inside a pulse footprint. If drones are separated by greater distances, a single burst may affect only part of the formation rather than the entire swarm.
- Multiple approach axes. Widely distributed drones can force defenders to reposition sensors and effectors, reducing opportunities for large batch engagements.
- Reduced concentration of losses. Even when a microwave pulse successfully disables some drones, a dispersed swarm may preserve enough surviving aircraft to continue its mission.
- Increased uncertainty for the defender. Tracking and prioritising a broad cloud of targets can be more demanding than engaging a tightly grouped formation.
This trade-off is important because the principal value of HPM systems lies in defeating many targets at once. Demonstrations that disable dozens of drones in a single engagement generally involve targets occupying a relatively compact engagement volume. [Epirus+2Tom's Hardware]epirusinc.comTap to unmute.Read moreEpirusEpirus' Leonidas High-Power Microwave Defeats 49-Drone …10 Sept 2025 — Leonidas neutralized 61-of-61 drones, culminating in a 49-…
Spacing is not cost-free for the attacker. Swarms often depend on coordination, mutual support and concentration of effects. Excessive dispersion can weaken reconnaissance coverage, dilute strike density and complicate command-and-control. The challenge is therefore not simply to spread out, but to find a spacing pattern that reduces microwave vulnerability without undermining the swarm’s operational purpose.
How Shielding Changes Electronic Vulnerability
Microwave weapons work by coupling electromagnetic energy into electronic systems. The goal may be temporary disruption, component upset, software malfunction or permanent damage to circuitry. Because the mechanism is electronic rather than kinetic, designers can seek protection by reducing the amount of energy that reaches sensitive components. [Security and Defence+2Security and Defence]securityanddefence.plSecurity and Defence High power microwave for knocking out programmableSecurity and DefenceHigh power microwave for knocking out programmable…June 29, 2021 — by MZ Chaari · 2021 · Cited by 24 — The HPM tec…
Several hardening approaches are commonly discussed in electromagnetic protection research:
Shielding and Enclosures
Conductive enclosures can reduce the amount of microwave energy reaching internal electronics. Improved shielding around flight-control computers, navigation systems and communication modules can lower vulnerability to electromagnetic coupling. Research on protecting aerial vehicles from high-power microwave effects highlights shielding as a central defensive measure against electronic disruption. [NATO Publications]publications.sto.nato.intmore…
The practical challenge is that small drones have severe limits on weight, space and cost. Adding substantial shielding can reduce endurance and payload capacity.
Hardened Components
Electronic systems can be designed to tolerate higher electromagnetic stress levels. More robust circuit layouts, improved filtering and protective components may reduce the probability that a microwave pulse produces damaging voltage spikes or logic errors. Technical studies of HPM effects consistently identify semiconductor vulnerability as a key factor in microwave effectiveness. [arXiv]arxiv.orgA Multi-physics Simulation Framework for High-power Microwave Counter-unmanned Aerial System Design and Performance EvaluationFebrua…
Redundancy
Swarm drones may carry backup processors, navigation systems or communications paths. Even if one subsystem experiences disruption, another may continue operating. This approach does not prevent microwave interaction but can improve mission survival.
Autonomous Operation
Some microwave and radio-frequency defences are particularly effective when drones depend heavily on external communication links. Greater onboard autonomy reduces reliance on vulnerable connections and may allow aircraft to continue operating after partial disruption. Technical discussions of counter-drone microwave effects frequently distinguish between disrupting functions and physically destroying electronics, making resilience measures especially relevant. [Security and Defence]securityanddefence.plHigh power microwave for knocking out programmable suicide drones,135068,0,2Security and DefenceHigh power microwave for knocking out programmable…by MZ Chaari · 2021 · Cited by 24 — This article aims to examin…
Hardening, however, is rarely absolute. Every additional layer of protection increases cost, complexity and weight. One reason drone swarms are attractive is that many platforms are inexpensive and expendable. Excessive hardening can erode that economic advantage.
Why Adaptation Creates New Trade-Offs
Spacing and hardening help explain why microwave weapons are unlikely to produce a permanent solution to the swarm problem.
A dispersed swarm generally presents a smaller target set to each pulse, but it also sacrifices some of the concentration that makes swarm attacks effective. Likewise, hardened electronics can improve survivability, but they raise manufacturing costs and may reduce payload capacity or endurance.
These trade-offs matter because swarm warfare often depends on scale. A force that spends significantly more money and weight protecting each drone may be able to field fewer aircraft overall. Conversely, a force that prioritises low-cost mass production may accept greater vulnerability to microwave attack.
The dynamic resembles earlier competitions between armour and anti-armour systems. Defensive innovation does not eliminate the threat; it changes the design incentives facing attackers.
Why Layered Defences Remain Necessary
The possibility of spacing and hardening is one reason militaries rarely describe high-power microwave systems as stand-alone solutions. Instead, microwave weapons increasingly appear as one layer within broader counter-drone architectures that may also include sensors, electronic warfare systems, lasers and kinetic interceptors. [C4ISRNet]c4isrnet.comArmy to counter drone swarms as part of the service's Indirect Fire Protection CapabilityC4ISRNetArmy gets first high-power microwave prototype to counter …November 1, 2023 — 1 Nov 2023 — Epirus has delivered the first proto…
A layered approach addresses the limits of both sides:
- Microwave weapons can rapidly reduce dense or poorly protected swarms.
- Lasers can engage individual survivors that escape wide-area effects.
- Kinetic systems can defeat drones that remain operational despite hardening.
- Electronic warfare tools can exploit communications and navigation weaknesses when available.
For swarm operators, adaptation through spacing and hardening may reduce the effectiveness of any single microwave engagement. For defenders, the lesson is that microwave weapons are most valuable when integrated with other systems capable of handling the drones that remain after the initial pulse.
The continuing evolution of drone swarms therefore reinforces a central reality of directed-energy warfare: every new defensive capability creates incentives for new forms of adaptation. Wide-area microwave effects remain powerful, but their effectiveness depends not only on the weapon itself, but also on how successfully it can overcome increasingly dispersed and resilient drone designs. [Epirus+2C4ISRNet]epirusinc.comTap to unmute.Read moreEpirusEpirus' Leonidas High-Power Microwave Defeats 49-Drone …10 Sept 2025 — Leonidas neutralized 61-of-61 drones, culminating in a 49-…
Amazon book picks
Further Reading
Books and field guides related to How Swarms Fight Back Against Microwaves. Use these as the next step if you want deeper reading beyond the article.
Army of None
Explains how autonomous systems can adapt tactics, including dispersion and swarm behaviour.
The Kill Chain
Shows how networked adversaries and fast kill chains shape counter-drone engagement tactics.
Drone Warfare
Gives broader drone-warfare context for why swarm formations and countermeasures matter.
Kill Chain
Shows how networked adversaries and fast kill chains shape counter-drone engagement tactics.
eBay marketplace picks
Marketplace Samples
Example marketplace items related to this page. Use the search link to explore similar finds on eBay.
Endnotes
-
Source: c4isrnet.com
Link: https://www.c4isrnet.com/[battlefieldSource snippet
Army gets first high-power microwave prototype to counter...November 1, 2023 — 1 Nov 2023 — Epirus has delivered the first proto...
Published: November 1, 2023
-
Source: Wikipedia
Title: THOR (weapon)
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/THOR_%28weapon%29 -
Source: Wikipedia
Title: Rapid Destroyer
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RapidDestroyer -
Source: Wikipedia
Title: Raytheon Phaser
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raytheon_Phaser -
Source: publications.sto.nato.int
Link: https://publications.sto.nato.int/publications/STO%20Meeting%20Proceedings/STO-MP-SET-315/MP-SET-315-24.pdfSource snippet
more...
-
Source: arxiv.org
Link: https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.08477Source snippet
A Multi-physics Simulation Framework for High-power Microwave Counter-unmanned Aerial System Design and Performance EvaluationFebrua...
-
Source: epirusinc.com
Title: Tap to unmute.Read more
Link: https://www.epirusinc.com/press-releases/epirus-leonidas-high-power-microwave-defeats-49-[drone-swarmSource snippet
EpirusEpirus' Leonidas High-Power Microwave Defeats 49-Drone...10 Sept 2025 — Leonidas neutralized 61-of-61 drones, culminating in a 49...
-
Source: tomshardware.com
Title: Tom’s Hardware High-power microwave system downs 49 drones in one shot
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...
-
Source: securityanddefence.pl
Title: Security and Defence High power microwave for knocking out programmable
Link: https://securityanddefence.pl/pdf-135068-66456?filename=66456.pdfSource snippet
Security and DefenceHigh power microwave for knocking out programmable...June 29, 2021 — by MZ Chaari · 2021 · Cited by 24 — The HPM tec...
Published: June 29, 2021
-
Source: securityanddefence.pl
Title: High power microwave for knocking out programmable suicide drones,135068,0,2
Link: https://securityanddefence.pl/High-power-microwave-for-knocking-out-programmable-suicide-drones%2C135068%2C0%2C2.htmlSource snippet
Security and DefenceHigh power microwave for knocking out programmable...by MZ Chaari · 2021 · Cited by 24 — This article aims to examin...
Additional References
-
Source: researchgate.net
Link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/358274981_C277_Recent_Trends_in_High_Power_Microwave_Counter_Measure_Against_Drone_Swarm_AttackSource snippet
ResearchGate(PDF) C277: Recent Trends in High Power Microwave...PDF | Drone swarm attack has become a reality. The answer to such attack...
-
Source: researchgate.net
Title: 350941439 High power microwave for knocking out programmable suicide drones
Link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350941439_High_power_microwave_for_knocking_out_programmable_suicide_dronesSource snippet
(PDF) High power microwave for knocking out...16 Apr 2021 — This article aims to examine the directed energy of HPM (high power microwav...
-
Source: facebook.com
Link: https://www.facebook.com/newscientist/posts/military-drones-can-resist-radio-jamming-anti-drone-devices-but-a-microwave-weap/10159625913034589/Source snippet
military successfully tested a high-power microwave weapon capable of disabling entire drone swarms in seconds. During a live trial at...
-
Source: aspistrategist.org.au
Title: a counter to drone swarms high power microwave weapons
Link: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/a-counter-to-drone-swarms-high-power-microwave-weapons/Source snippet
A counter to drone swarms: high-power microwave weapons12 May 2025 — HPM weapons work by emitting directed bursts of electromagnetic ener...
Published: May 2025
-
Source: facebook.com
Link: https://www.facebook.com/engineeringpost1/posts/military-researchers-in-the-united-states-are-developing-high-power-microwave-we/1554576976668583/Source snippet
[one pulse]({{ 'one-pulse/' | relative_url }}), using high-power electromagnetic waves instead of...Read more...
-
Source: reddit.com
Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/TankPorn/comments/1h3dyft/stryker_leonidas_armed_with_highpower_microwave/Source snippet
nti-aircraft gun since electricity is cheaper than physical...Read more...
-
Source: thalesgroup.com
Title: Thales Group Thunder Shield™
Link: https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/solutions-catalogue/defence/thundershieldtm-high-power-microwave-electromagnetic-neutralisationSource snippet
ThunderShield™ - High-Power Microwave Electromagnetic...The High-Power Microwave capability can simultaneously neutralise multiple targe...
-
Source: youtube.com
Title: This MICROWAVE Weapon Could END Russia’s War
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9V9SYcF8QcSource snippet
Microwave weapon drone swarm spacing hardening protection counter HPM US-made Leonidas High-Power Microwave Defeats 49-Drone Swarm #airde...
-
Source: instagram.com
Title: Drones swarms are here
Link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWjefMaoiz8/?hl=enSource snippet
And this new technology could be the answer to stopping them.Leonidas is a high power microwave system, or HPM. It emits bursts of electr...
-
Source: droneshield.com
Link: https://www.droneshield.com/blog/a-counter-to-drone-swarms-high-power-microwave-weaponsSource snippet
A Counter to Drone Swarms: High-Power Microwave...HPM weapons work by emitting directed bursts of electromagnetic energy, disabling the...
Topic Tree