Epirus, a U.S. company specializing in counter-drone technologies, has publicly demonstrated that high-power microwave weapons can defeat fiber-optic-guided FPV drones—an emerging threat specifically designed to operate in environments saturated with RF jamming. Footage released by the firm shows its Leonidas VehicleKit neutralizing an FPV unmanned aircraft during a live-fire trial held in December 2025 at a U.S. government test facility. According to Epirus, the test highlights a growing operational problem: inexpensive, hard-to-counter drones, widely employed in the Ukraine conflict, are increasingly challenging existing force-protection and base-defense systems.
Unlike conventional small UAS, fiber-optic FPV drones do not rely on radio-frequency links for command and control. Instead, they trail a physical cable connecting the aircraft to its operator, eliminating the RF pathway that electronic warfare systems typically exploit. This seemingly simple design choice has major tactical consequences. It allows FPV drones to remain fully controllable in environments where RF jamming is intense and persistent, enabling one-way attack missions or ISR tasks even under heavy electromagnetic pressure.
Leonidas is presented as a counter to this problem by attacking the drone’s internal systems rather than its communications. Epirus characterizes the platform as an electronic warfare system that delivers precisely controlled electromagnetic effects capable of disabling critical onboard electronics. Rather than relying on kinetic interception, the system forces failures in flight control computers, processors, power systems, and navigation components. As a result, even a drone with an intact fiber-optic control link can be rendered inoperable if its electronics are disrupted.
Technologically, Leonidas is a directed-energy weapon based on high-power microwave technology. Since its initial introduction in 2020, the system has evolved rapidly. A third-generation version unveiled in April 2022 reportedly delivers more than twice the power of earlier models and incorporates both hardware and software improvements. The vehicle-mounted, ruggedized configuration can be equipped with a 360-degree gimbal, allowing wide-area coverage against drones approaching from multiple axes. This non-kinetic approach enables repeated engagements without reliance on missile interceptors or ammunition stocks.
Beyond raw power, Leonidas has been designed with interoperability and sustainment in mind. Epirus states that the system uses an open architecture with an open API, allowing it to integrate with existing C2 networks for coordinated counter-UAS operations. Gallium nitride-based electronics enable high output with reduced thermal burden, simplifying system design and maintenance. A digitally steerable antenna concentrates energy on the target while minimizing risk to friendly forces. For operational availability, the company emphasizes rapid field maintenance, with amplifier modules designed to be replaced in minutes—supporting prolonged, high-intensity defensive operations.
