End of kamikaze drones? Defense startup unveils Star Trek-style ‘laser’ shield that vaporizes killer drones in seconds
The technology, known as Leonidas, uses a high-powered microwave system to target swarms of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and precision targets from considerable distances.
Epirus, based in Torrance, California, recently announced a successful $250 million Series D funding round, bringing its total venture funding to over $550 million, reported Reuters.
This significant investment comes at a time when defense contractors are struggling to meet the rising demand for advanced weaponry following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and growing drone threats worldwide.
The latest funding round, which was co-led by venture capital firm 8VC and Washington Harbour Partners LP, included participation from General Dynamics’ Land Systems division, signaling a strong interest in Epirus’ anti-drone technology.
The company plans to use the funds to strengthen its supply chain, expand into international and commercial markets, and grow its workforce, including opening a new training center in Oklahoma focused on counter-drone warfare. As Epirus expands its capabilities, its Leonidas system continues to attract attention for its potential to redefine modern defense strategies.
Leonidas: A “Star Trek shield”
The centerpiece of Epirus’ latest breakthrough, the Leonidas counter-drone system, is a ground-based, directed energy weapon that fires off an electromagnetic pulse to disable drones. Epirus founder Joe Lonsdale likens the system to a “Star Trek shield,” explaining that it can neutralize threats from a distance, providing a significant advantage over traditional defense mechanisms. “It’s able to turn them off from very far away,” Lonsdale told Fox News.In an era where drone swarms have become a dominant tactic in conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war, the Leonidas system offers a solution to the limitations of conventional defense systems that are designed to target individual UAVs.
“Swarms of drones is where war is going,” Lonsdale said. “Right now, you have swarms of drones that are very expensive and very difficult to stop.”
Epirus’ system could revolutionize short-range defense, shifting the military’s mindset from a “1-to-1” approach to a more scalable “1-to-many” strategy, as outlined by CEO Andy Lowery.
“This is going to touch every aspect of warfare over the next decade,” Lonsdale predicted, noting that the technology could be adapted to other uses, including protecting satellites or freezing planes in mid-air.
Race to counter UAVs: U.S. pushes for advanced technology
The rapid rise of drones has sparked a global arms race to develop more effective countermeasures. Epirus’ Leonidas is already undergoing testing by the U.S. Army, having secured a $66 million contract in 2023, and has been deployed for use in the Middle East.
The system is believed to be in its testing phase with U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the region.
However, Lonsdale said that the U.S. military must do more to keep up with adversaries in the counter-UAV space.
“We are not doing what we need to do,” said Rep. Rob Wittman, vice chair of the House Armed Services Committee, in an interview with Fox News. “We have failed miserably at counter-UAS.”
As drone warfare continues to evolve, defense tech companies like Epirus are at the forefront of providing innovative solutions to combat this growing threat. With their advanced laser and microwave technology, the battle against kamikaze drones may be entering a new era.
