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A private live-fire event in Indiana offered a rare look at how high-power microwave technology is reshaping anti-drone defense
Small uncrewed aircraft (UAVs) have become a persistent challenge for militaries and regulators alike.
Their low cost and unpredictable flight paths make them difficult to track, and authorities warn they can threaten both security forces and civilian air traffic.
This has become increasingly evident in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, as Russia continues to pummel Ukrainian infrastructure with low-cost drones, while Ukraine has managed to use UAVs to strike targets deep in Russian territory.
According to technology company Epirus, these risks have spurred a wave of competing counter-drone tools, each designed for different environments.
Epirus said microwave systems form one part of that mix, aiming to burn out drone electronics rather than relying on physical interceptors.
Live-fire results
During an August 26, 2025 demonstration at Camp Atterbury — attended by invited guests, according to the company — Epirus showed off the Leonidas system, proving it able to disable 61 out of 61 drones.
The finale involved more than four dozen UAVs flying simultaneously. A company video showed the entire group falling at once after a single microwave pulse.
“This is a watershed moment for Epirus,” CEO Andy Lowery said in the firm’s statement.
Microwave innovation
Epirus says Leonidas builds on earlier concepts by replacing traditional magnetron tubes with Gallium Nitride components, allowing a compact, power-efficient design.
The switch to Gallium Nitride allegedly allows the system to sustain higher output without the bulk or thermal demands of earlier microwave sources.
The company also states the system can adjust its microwave waveform through software and operate safely around personnel.
Epirus’ engineers have also doubled its range since a 2022 iteration, broadening the number of scenarios the system can cover.
US falling behind in the drone race
The US uses a wide range of drones in operations worldwide, but since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the US has been playing catch-up in the technological weapons race.
The technology and tactics most effective for drone warfare continue to evolve, and as CNN wrote in September, the Pentagon is now beginning to focus on education specific to drone warfare.
Who is Epirus?
According to the company itself, Epirus is a technology firm focusing on the future of national security.
The company describes its flagship, Leonidas, as a “software-defined, energy-based high-power microwave platform, built using intelligent power management techniques which allow power-hungry systems to do more with less.”
Source: Epirus press release, YouTube, CNN
