Electromagnetic Pulse Capability Integrated into Counter-UAS System

Northrop Grumman has selected Epirus, Inc.’s Leonidas Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) capability for integration into its Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) systems-of-systems solution. The inclusion of Leonidas will enhance Northrop Grumman’s advanced end-to-end counter-drone swarm capabilities, and specifically supplements the company’s suite of non-kinetic C-UAS effects.

Leonidas is designed for both static and mobile counter-drone defense, using solid-state commercial semiconductor technology to substantially reduce the system’s size and weight. This enables increased stand-off ranges and speed-of-light engagements that do not suffer from issues with magazine depth and capacity. When fired, Leonidas creates an EMP that can be steered for precision engagements, or adjusted to cover a volume of terrain or sky, creating a force-field effect.

Northrop Grumman’s end-to-end counter-drone solutions are built upon layered architecture with a full complement of kinetic and non-kinetic effects, aerial and ground sensors and the field-proven Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (C2) system, recently selected by the U.S. Army as the interim C2 system for counter-small-UAS capabilities.

Kenn Todorov, vice president and general manager of combat systems and mission readiness at Northrop Grumman, commented: “UAS threats are proliferating across the modern battlespace. By integrating the Epirus EMP weapon system into our C-UAS portfolio, we continue maturing our robust, integrated, layered approach to addressing and defeating these evolving threats.”

Bo Marr, chief technology officer at Epirus, stated: “We’re excited to work closely with the Northrop Grumman team to support their C-UAS systems-of-systems solution offering. Our unprecedented EMP capabilities will complement this offering as we continue to look to the future to understand how asymmetric threats will evolve.”

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