Epirus, General Dynamics team on autonomous counter-drone system
Epirus, General Dynamics Land Systems (NYSE: GD) and Kodiak AI (NASDAQ: KDK) announced the Leonidas Autonomous Ground Vehicle, a mobile system designed for counter-drone operations and critical point defense missions.
The vehicle integrates Epirus' Leonidas high-power microwave platform with Kodiak's autonomous driving system onto a commercial-grade truck platform. General Dynamics Land Systems served as the lead system integrator for the project.
The system can operate without human intervention or be remotely controlled to provide counter-drone defense across various mission scenarios. It is designed to deploy to intercept points or patrol perimeters to protect assets from individual drones, swarm attacks, or fiber-optic controlled drone threats.
According to the companies, the vehicle is suited for defending military installations, forward operating bases, airports, ports, energy infrastructure and public events. The autonomous and remote operation capabilities allow operators to scale coverage and maintain continuous protection from drone threats.
The Leonidas platform uses software-defined electromagnetic interference to neutralize drone threats without expending interceptor missiles. The Kodiak Driver system enables the vehicle to operate across highways and off-road environments with autonomous navigation capabilities.
"Saturation drone attacks demand a fundamentally different approach to defense," said Andy Lowery, CEO of Epirus. "Leonidas AGV combines autonomous mobility with high-power microwave effects to deliver a counter-UAS capability that rapidly maneuvers to defeat drone swarms."
Keith Barclay, Vice President and General Manager for U.S. Operations at General Dynamics Land Systems, said the integration represents commercially-inspired innovation for military applications.
A prototype will be displayed at the AUSA Global Force Symposium in Huntsville, Alabama, according to the press release statement.
