Within Leonidas
Why Leonidas Keeps Showing Up on New Platforms
Stryker Leonidas, Expeditionary, H2O and AGV versions show how the same microwave effect is being adapted for land, sea and mobile defence.
On this page
- Vehicle mounted Stryker integration
- Expeditionary and Marine Corps use cases
- Maritime and autonomous variants
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Introduction
Leonidas has become more than a single counter-drone system. One of the most important developments in the directed-energy market is the way Epirus has adapted the same high-power microwave architecture across multiple platforms and missions. Instead of treating counter-drone defence as a fixed installation or a single military programme, the company has steadily reshaped Leonidas for armoured vehicles, expeditionary forces, maritime security and even autonomous operations. The result is a family of systems that demonstrates how a microwave effect originally associated with drone-swarm defence can be packaged for different services and operational environments. [Epirus+2Epirus]epirusinc.comEpirusEpirus, General Dynamics Land Systems Unveil Integrated…5 Oct 2022 — The companies have successfully integrated Epirus' high-pow…
For the anti-drone market, this matters because platform flexibility often determines commercial success. A system that can move from an Army vehicle to a Marine Corps expeditionary mission or a naval security role has a broader procurement path than a single-purpose weapon. Leonidas’ variants therefore reveal as much about defence acquisition trends as they do about microwave technology itself. [Epirus]epirusinc.comOpen source on epirusinc.com.
Vehicle-Mounted Stryker Integration
The first major expansion beyond the base Leonidas concept was its integration with the Stryker armoured vehicle. In 2022, Epirus and General Dynamics Land Systems publicly unveiled a working prototype that mounted the Leonidas high-power microwave array on a Stryker platform. The integration followed a strategic partnership intended to combine microwave counter-electronics effects with a combat vehicle already familiar to US Army operators. [Epirus]epirusinc.comEpirusEpirus, General Dynamics Land Systems Unveil Integrated…5 Oct 2022 — The companies have successfully integrated Epirus' high-pow…
The significance of Stryker Leonidas was not simply mobility. Earlier counter-drone systems often required separate trailers, fixed sites or specialised support equipment. Mounting Leonidas on a combat vehicle placed the microwave weapon inside a manoeuvre-force context, allowing protection to move with troops rather than remaining tied to a defended location. This reflected growing military concern that drone threats would accompany forces throughout a battlefield rather than appear only around static bases. [Epirus]epirusinc.comEpirusEpirus, General Dynamics Land Systems Unveil Integrated…5 Oct 2022 — The companies have successfully integrated Epirus' high-pow…
Historically, Stryker Leonidas also helped demonstrate the scalability of Epirus’ architecture. Rather than redesigning the underlying microwave effect, the company adapted it to an existing military vehicle ecosystem. That approach reduced integration risk and provided a visible example of how high-power microwave systems might fit into future short-range air-defence formations. [Epirus]epirusinc.comEpirusEpirus, General Dynamics Land Systems Unveil Integrated…5 Oct 2022 — The companies have successfully integrated Epirus' high-pow…
Why the Marine Corps Wanted a Smaller Leonidas
The next major step was Leonidas Expeditionary, developed through the Expeditionary Directed Energy Counter-Swarm (ExDECS) programme. While Stryker Leonidas emphasised vehicle integration for manoeuvre forces, the Marine Corps sought something lighter, easier to deploy and better suited to expeditionary operations. The resulting system retained the core microwave technology but was packaged for use with light tactical vehicles, trailers and other mobile expeditionary platforms. [DefenseScoop+2Epirus]defensescoop.commarines microwave weapon hpm epirus leonidas expeditionaryMarines to get new drone-killing microwave weapon…23 Sept 2024 — The high-power microwave weapon prototype, known as Leoni…
This variant emerged from collaboration involving the Office of Naval Research, Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory and Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office. Development focused on countering drone swarms in austere environments where logistics, transportability and rapid deployment matter as much as raw performance. The programme was launched under a $5.5 million contract and specifically targeted expeditionary short-range air-defence requirements. [DefenseScoop+2Epirus]defensescoop.commarines microwave weapon hpm epirus leonidas expeditionaryMarines to get new drone-killing microwave weapon…23 Sept 2024 — The high-power microwave weapon prototype, known as Leoni…
A notable aspect of Expeditionary Leonidas is that it represents adaptation rather than replacement. The same underlying microwave technology is retained, but the operational assumptions change. Marines operating from temporary island positions, dispersed coastal sites or forward expeditionary bases need systems that can be moved quickly and established with minimal infrastructure. ExDECS was designed around those realities. [Military Embedded Systems]militaryembedded.comFeatured CompaniesMilitary Embedded SystemsDirected energy counter-swarm system under development…Epirus is scheduled to deliver a completed ExDECS HPM…
By 2025, Epirus had delivered an ExDECS prototype for Marine Corps testing after government acceptance evaluations, moving the concept from development into operational experimentation. The transition illustrated how Leonidas was evolving into a family of mission-specific products rather than a single Army-focused programme. [Epirus+2The Defense Post]epirusinc.comNavy for…29 Apr 2025 — Leonidas Expeditionary was introduced in 2024 and is the latest addition to the company's suite of scalable hig…
Maritime and Autonomous Variants
Leonidas H2O Takes the Concept to Sea
The maritime variant, Leonidas H2O, represents perhaps the clearest example of the company’s attempt to broaden the market beyond airborne drones. Introduced in 2025, the system applies the same high-power microwave principle to maritime security challenges, including unmanned surface vessels, small boats and aerial drones operating around naval forces. [Epirus]epirusinc.comPress ReleaseEpirusEpirus Introduces Leonidas H₂O, High-Power Microwave…8 Apr 2025 — Epirus Introduces Leonidas H₂O, High-Power Microwave System fo…
What makes H2O notable is that it shifts the target set. Instead of focusing exclusively on flying drones, testing explored the disruption of commercially available outboard boat motors during US Navy exercises. This demonstrated that the microwave approach could potentially affect electronic systems associated with maritime threats as well as aerial ones. In commercial terms, that broadens the addressable market from counter-UAS missions to wider counter-electronics and force-protection roles. [Epirus+2wordpress-1555235-6025816.cloudwaysapps.com]epirusinc.comPress ReleaseEpirusEpirus Introduces Leonidas H₂O, High-Power Microwave…8 Apr 2025 — Epirus Introduces Leonidas H₂O, High-Power Microwave System fo…
The maritime version also highlights a recurring theme in Leonidas development: reusing a common technology base while adapting packaging, deployment methods and operational concepts for different environments. Rather than creating a separate weapon family, Epirus has repeatedly extended the same architecture into new mission areas. [Epirus]epirusinc.comPress ReleaseEpirusEpirus Introduces Leonidas H₂O, High-Power Microwave…8 Apr 2025 — Epirus Introduces Leonidas H₂O, High-Power Microwave System fo…
Leonidas AGV and the Push Towards Autonomy
The most recent variant is the Leonidas Autonomous Ground Vehicle (AGV), unveiled in 2026 through a collaboration involving Epirus, General Dynamics Land Systems and Kodiak AI. This system combines the Leonidas microwave payload with an autonomous driving platform, creating a mobile counter-UAS vehicle capable of operating with limited or no onboard personnel. [kodiak.ai+2Breaking Defense]kodiak.aiepirus gdls autonomous counter uas vehicleKodiak, Epirus, GDLS Unveil Autonomous Counter-UAS…24 Mar 2026 — Leonidas AGV features Epirus' Leonidas high-power microwave platform…
The AGV concept changes the discussion from weapon effects to force structure. A self-driving counter-drone vehicle could be positioned around bases, critical infrastructure or expeditionary sites without requiring a crew in every vehicle. Developers have presented the platform as suitable for critical-point defence, homeland-security applications and distributed counter-UAS missions. [kodiak.ai]kodiak.aiepirus gdls autonomous counter uas vehicleKodiak, Epirus, GDLS Unveil Autonomous Counter-UAS…24 Mar 2026 — Leonidas AGV features Epirus' Leonidas high-power microwave platform…
Historically, this variant is significant because it links two major defence trends: autonomous mobility and directed energy. Earlier Leonidas versions focused on fitting the microwave system onto existing platforms. The AGV instead treats mobility itself as an autonomous capability, suggesting a future in which counter-drone systems may patrol, reposition and respond with reduced human involvement. [Breaking Defense+2MILMAG]breakingdefense.comBreaking DefenseGeneral Dynamics-led team unveils self-driving truck with…24 Mar 2026 — The Leonidas Autonomous Ground Vehicle consist…
Why These Variants Matter More Than Any Single Model
Viewed together, the Stryker, Expeditionary, H2O and AGV variants show a deliberate strategy of platform diversification. Each version addresses a different operational problem:
- Stryker Leonidas emphasises armoured mobility and integration with Army manoeuvre forces. [Epirus]epirusinc.comEpirusEpirus, General Dynamics Land Systems Unveil Integrated…5 Oct 2022 — The companies have successfully integrated Epirus' high-pow…
- Leonidas Expeditionary focuses on Marine Corps mobility, low logistical burden and expeditionary deployment. [DefenseScoop]defensescoop.commarines microwave weapon hpm epirus leonidas expeditionaryMarines to get new drone-killing microwave weapon…23 Sept 2024 — The high-power microwave weapon prototype, known as Leoni…
- Leonidas H2O extends microwave counter-electronics effects into maritime security and vessel protection missions. [Epirus]epirusinc.comPress ReleaseEpirusEpirus Introduces Leonidas H₂O, High-Power Microwave…8 Apr 2025 — Epirus Introduces Leonidas H₂O, High-Power Microwave System fo…
- Leonidas AGV explores autonomous deployment for persistent counter-UAS coverage and critical-site defence. [kodiak.ai]kodiak.aiepirus gdls autonomous counter uas vehicleKodiak, Epirus, GDLS Unveil Autonomous Counter-UAS…24 Mar 2026 — Leonidas AGV features Epirus' Leonidas high-power microwave platform…
Taken together, these variants reveal why Leonidas continues to appear on new platforms. The commercial and military value increasingly lies not in a single microwave weapon, but in a scalable architecture that can be adapted across vehicles, services and operating environments. Within the anti-drone market, that adaptability may prove as important as the microwave effect itself. [Epirus+2Epirus]epirusinc.comOpen source on epirusinc.com.
Amazon book picks
Further Reading
Books and field guides related to Why Leonidas Keeps Showing Up on New Platforms. Use these as the next step if you want deeper reading beyond the article.
Introduction to Electronic Warfare Modeling and Simulation
First published 2006. Subjects: Electronics in military engineering, Mathematical models, Computer simulation.
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Endnotes
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Source: kodiak.ai
Title: epirus gdls autonomous counter uas vehicle
Link: https://kodiak.ai/news/kodiak-epirus-gdls-autonomous-counter-uas-vehicleSource snippet
Kodiak, Epirus, GDLS Unveil Autonomous Counter-UAS...24 Mar 2026 — Leonidas AGV features Epirus' Leonidas high-power microwave platform...
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Source: defensescoop.com
Title: marines microwave weapon hpm epirus leonidas expeditionary
Link: https://defensescoop.com/2024/09/23/marines-microwave-weapon-hpm-epirus-leonidas-expeditionary/Source snippet
Marines to get new drone-killing microwave weapon...23 Sept 2024 — The high-power microwave weapon prototype, known as Leoni...
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Source: wordpress-1555235-6025816.cloudwaysapps.com
Title: epirus introduces new hpm weapon for unmanned maritime threats
Link: https://wordpress-1555235-6025816.cloudwaysapps.com/content/epirus-introduces-new-hpm-weapon-for-unmanned-maritime-threats/Source snippet
Epirus introduces new HPM weapon for unmanned...14 Apr 2025 — Epirus has unveiled a new maritime-focused high-power microwave (HPM) weap...
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Source: milmag.pl
Link: https://milmag.pl/en/epirus-gdls-and-kodiak-unveil-the-leonidas-agv-autonomous-counter-drone-system/Source snippet
Epirus, GDLS, and Kodiak unveil the Leonidas AGV...24 Mar 2026 — On Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the Leonidas AGV (Automated Ground Ve...
Published: March 24, 2026
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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
The US Army's new answer to drone swarms: LEONIDAS...
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Source: youtube.com
Title: Leonidas Counter-Electronics System — [Generation]({{ ‘generation-ii/’ | relative_url }}) 0 – Customer Demonstration
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lZoSI1LauISource snippet
Epirus Stryker Leonidas variant vehicle high power microwave Epirus GDLS: Stryker Leonidas, Surveillance Drone Destroyer (U.S. Army's (AU...
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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/press-releases/epirus-delivers-exdecs-hpm-prototype-to-u-s-navy-for-marine-corps-counter-drone-swarm-capabilitySource snippet
Navy for...29 Apr 2025 — Leonidas Expeditionary was introduced in 2024 and is the latest addition to the company's suite of scalable hig...
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Source: epirusinc.com
Title: Press Release
Link: https://www.epirusinc.com/press-releases/epirus-introduces-leonidas-h2o-energy-based-high-power-microwave-system-for-maritime-interdiction-and-uav-protectionSource snippet
EpirusEpirus Introduces Leonidas H₂O, High-Power Microwave...8 Apr 2025 — Epirus Introduces Leonidas H₂O, High-Power Microwave System fo...
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Source: epirusinc.com
Link: https://www.epirusinc.com/electronic-warfare -
Source: prnewswire.com
Link: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/epirus-general-dynamics-land-systems-unveil-integrated-counter-electronics-system-stryker-leonidas-301641006.htmlSource snippet
Epirus, General Dynamics Land Systems Unveil Integrated...5 Oct 2022 — The companies have successfully integrated Epirus' high-power mic...
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Source: epirusinc.com
Link: https://www.epirusinc.com/press-releases/epirus-to-deliver-leonidas-expeditionary-in-partnership-with-onr-jco-usmc-expanding-high-power-microwave-product-suiteSource snippet
EpirusEpirus to Deliver Leonidas Expeditionary in Partnership...23 Sept 2024 — As part of the contract, Epirus will deliver a completed...
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Source: militaryembedded.com
Title: Featured Companies
Link: https://militaryembedded.com/unmanned/counter-uas/directed-energy-counter-swarm-system-under-development-for-us-marine-corpsSource snippet
Military Embedded SystemsDirected energy counter-swarm system under development...Epirus is scheduled to deliver a completed ExDECS HPM...
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Source: thedefensepost.com
Title: us marines epirus exdecs
Link: https://thedefensepost.com/2025/04/30/us-marines-epirus-exdecs/Source snippet
US Marines Get First Microwave Weapon Prototype to...Apr 30, 2025 — Following the prototype's completion of Government Acceptance Testin...
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Source: breakingdefense.com
Title: defense tech company epirus delivers counter drone swarms to navy
Link: https://breakingdefense.com/2025/04/defense-tech-company-epirus-delivers-counter-drone-swarms-to-navy/Source snippet
Defense tech company Epirus delivers counter-drone...Apr 29, 2025 — Expeditionary Directed Energy Counter-Swarm (ExDECS) is derived from...
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Source: navalnews.com
Link: https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/sea-air-space-2025/2025/04/epirus-introduces-leonidas-h2o-high-power-microwave-system-for-maritime-interdiction-and-uav-protection/Source snippet
Epirus Introduces Leonidas H2O, High-Power Microwave...9 Apr 2025 — Epirus Introduces Leonidas H2O, High-Power Microwave System for Mari...
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Source: Wikipedia
Title: Epirus Leonidas
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epirus_LeonidasSource snippet
Epirus LeonidasThe Leonidas Expeditionary Directed Energy Counter-Swarm (ExDECS) was unveiled in September 2024 as a small version for...
Published: September 2024
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Source: breakingdefense.com
Link: https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/general-dynamics-led-team-unveils-self-driving-truck-with-microwave-counter-drone-tech/Source snippet
Breaking DefenseGeneral Dynamics-led team unveils self-driving truck with...24 Mar 2026 — The Leonidas Autonomous Ground Vehicle consist...
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Source: asdnews.com
Title: epirus gdls kodiak ai unveil new autonomous hpm system counteruas
Link: https://www.asdnews.com/news/defense/2026/03/24/epirus-gdls-kodiak-ai-unveil-new-autonomous-hpm-system-counteruasSource snippet
Epirus, GDLS and Kodiak AI Unveil New Autonomous HPM...24 Mar 2026 — Leonidas AGV features Epirus' Leonidas high-power microwave platfor...
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Source: facebook.com
Title: epirus leonidas expeditionary directed energy for counter swarm exdecs hpm
Link: https://www.facebook.com/NextGenPHDef/posts/-epirus-leonidas-expeditionary-directed-energy-for-counter-swarm-exdecs-hpm/1024439542811629/Source snippet
Leonidas will integrate with the US Marine Corps command...
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Source: x.com
Link: https://x.com/nex_def/status/1917481109153275944Source snippet
Epirus Delivers ExDECS Directed Energy Counter-Drone...30 Apr 2025 — ExDECS is derived from Epirus' Leonidas Expeditionary system and is...
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Source: epirusinc.com
Link: https://www.epirusinc.com/Source snippet
Army, Developing Pathway to Field High-Power Microwave Capability. This is some text inside of a div block...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...
Additional References
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Source: fw-mag.com
Link: https://www.fw-mag.com/shownews/1030/sas-2026-leonidas-hpm-c-uxs-system-has-successful-testsSource snippet
LEONIDAS HPM C-UxS system has successful testsEpirus, the producer of LEONIDAS, a high-power microwave (HPM) counter-uncrewed system (C-U...
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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
Army Puts $43M Bet On Next Gen Leonidas High Power...Jul 17, 2025 — Epirus' CEO says successful tests of the company's Gen II system cap...
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Source: twz.com
Title: marines get their first high power microwave weapon for taking on drone swarms
Link: https://www.twz.com/land/marines-get-their-first-high-power-microwave-weapon-for-taking-on-drone-swarmsSource snippet
The War ZoneMarines Get Their First High Power Microwave Weapon...29 Apr 2025 — Leonidas Expeditionary was introduced in 2024 and is the...
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Source: youtube.com
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXXCK6gjSfgSource snippet
ExDECS: High-Power Microwave System Delivered to USMCExpeditionary Directed Energy Counter-Swarm (ExDECS), a derivative of Leonidas Exped...
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Source: marinecorpstimes.com
Title: marines to receive new system for zapping drone swarms out of the sky
Link: https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2024/09/30/marines-to-receive-new-system-for-zapping-drone-swarms-out-of-the-sky/Source snippet
Marines to receive new system for zapping drone swarms...Sep 30, 2024 — The newest Epirus high-powered microwave system is set to be del...
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Source: realcleardefense.com
Title: the marine corps new microwave drone swarm killer 1107197
Link: https://www.realcleardefense.com/2025/04/30/the_marine_corps_new_microwave_drone_swarm_killer_1107197.htmlSource snippet
The Marine Corps' New Microwave Drone Swarm KillerApr 30, 2025 — The ExDECS system is a derivative of the Leonidas system, using high-pow...
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Source: forbes.com
Title: marines new exdecs microwave weapon to down drone swarms
Link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2024/09/23/marines-new-exdecs-microwave-weapon-to-down-drone-swarms/Source snippet
Marines New 'ExDECS' Microwave Weapon To Down...Sep 23, 2024 — The U.S. Marine Corps is getting a new type of air defense weapon, a high...
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Source: x.com
Link: https://x.com/epirus/status/1582369731461337088Source snippet
tryker, the U.S. Army's largest and most reliable combat...Read more...
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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 in SHORAD distance.Read more...
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Source: armytimes.com
Title: marines to receive new system for zapping drone swarms out of the sky
Link: https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2024/09/30/marines-to-receive-new-system-for-zapping-drone-swarms-out-of-the-sky/?contentFeatureId=f0fmoahPVC2AbfL-2-1-8&contentQuery=%7B%22includeSections%22%3A%22%2Fhome%22%2C%22excludeSections%22%3A%22%22%2C%22feedSize%22%3A10%2C%22feedOffset%22%3A155%7DSource snippet
Army to counter drone swarms as part of the service's Indirect Fire Protection Capability.Read more...
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