Leonidas AGV
Epirus's autonomous ground vehicle integrating high-power microwave counter-drone defeat, unveiled March 2026.
Last refreshed: 4 April 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Does an autonomous HPM vehicle give Epirus an edge in the Army directed-energy competition over laser alternatives?
Latest on Leonidas AGV
- What is the Leonidas AGV directed energy weapon?
- Leonidas AGV is an autonomous ground vehicle integrating Epirus's high-power microwave counter-drone system. General Dynamics is platform integrator; Kodiak Robotics provides autonomy. Unveiled March 2026.Source: Epirus / AUSA
- Epirus Leonidas vs laser counter-drone difference?
- Leonidas uses high-power microwave energy to defeat multiple drones simultaneously in a wide beam. Laser systems like LOCUST X3 dwell on individual targets. Leonidas has swarm-defeat advantage; lasers have precision advantage.Source: AUSA / Epirus
Background
The Leonidas AGV is an autonomous ground vehicle variant of Epirus's Leonidas high-power microwave (HPM) counter-drone system, unveiled at the AUSA Global Force conference in Huntsville, Alabama in March 2026. The system integrates Epirus's HPM directed-energy weapon into an unmanned ground vehicle, with General Dynamics serving as platform integrator and Kodiak Robotics providing the autonomous driving stack.
The Leonidas AGV is designed to provide area-effect counter-drone capability in forward positions without exposing operators to hostile fire. Unlike point-and-shoot laser systems, the HPM approach creates a wide-beam energy field that can simultaneously defeat multiple Group 1 through Group 3 drones, addressing the swarm tactics Iran and Ukraine have demonstrated. The autonomous mobility means the platform can reposition to follow dynamic threat patterns without human operators within range.
The AGV variant represents the maturation of Epirus's ground-based HPM concept from a trailer-mounted prototype into an autonomous tactical system. With the Army E-HEL directed-energy competition expected to award a production contract in Q2 FY2026, the Leonidas AGV enters the evaluation window at the optimal moment. General Dynamics' integration role lends the programme the prime-contractor credibility that pure-play defence startups often lack in Army procurement.
