Epirus, GDLS and Kodiak AI Unveil Leonidas Autonomous HPM Vehicle for Counter-UAS and Drone Swarm Defense – Drones World Magazine
AI Analysis
Epirus, General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS), and Kodiak AI have jointly developed Leonidas, an autonomous ground vehicle equipped with a high-power microwave (HPM) system for counter-UAS operations. The vehicle utilizes Kodiak AI's autonomous driving system for independent navigation and deployment, and is designed to defend against both individual drones and swarms. It offers a non-kinetic, scalable solution for critical infrastructure and military asset protection.
Key Takeaways
- Leonidas AGV integrates Epirus’ HPM platform with Kodiak AI’s autonomous driving system on a commercial truck chassis.
- The system is designed for both autonomous and teleoperated modes, enabling flexible deployment and coverage.
- HPM technology provides a non-kinetic, software-defined method for neutralizing drone threats without expendable interceptors.
- Target applications include defense of military installations, FOBs, airports, ports, energy infrastructure, and public events.
- GDLS served as the lead system integrator, highlighting a collaborative approach to counter-UAS development.
Why It Matters
The development of autonomous, mobile HPM systems like Leonidas represents a significant advancement in counter-UAS technology, offering a resilient and cost-effective alternative to kinetic solutions. This capability addresses the growing threat of drone swarms and provides a scalable defense for critical infrastructure, reducing reliance on limited interceptor supplies and potentially minimizing collateral damage.
Epirus, GDLS and Kodiak AI Unveil Leonidas Autonomous HPM Vehicle for Counter-UAS and Drone Swarm Defense – Drones World Magazine
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Home ANTI DRONES Epirus, GDLS and Kodiak AI Unveil Leonidas Autonomous HPM Vehicle for Counter-UAS and Drone Swarm Defense
Epirus, GDLS and Kodiak AI Unveil Leonidas Autonomous HPM Vehicle for Counter-UAS and Drone Swarm Defense
April 18, 2026
April 18, 2026
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Epirus, General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS), and Kodiak AI (Kodiak) have unveiled the Leonidas Autonomous Ground Vehicle (AGV), a mobile, fully autonomous vehicle designed for counter-UAS, critical point defense, and homeland security missions.
The Leonidas AGV features Epirus’ Leonidas high-power microwave (HPM) platform integrated onto a commercial-grade truck platform equipped with Kodiak’s AI-powered autonomous driving system, the Kodiak Driver. General Dynamics Land Systems served as the lead system integrator.
The Leonidas AGV delivers a mobile counter-UAS capability that can operate without human intervention or be teleoperated to extend the counter-UAS line of defense across fixed-site and expeditionary mission sets.
Designed for autonomous critical point defense counter-UAS operations, the Leonidas AGV can rapidly deploy to pre-planned intercept points or maneuver across a perimeter to protect critical assets from individual drone, swarm, or fiber-optic controlled drone attacks. The system is well-suited for defense of military installations, forward operating bases, airports, ports, energy infrastructure, and major public events. Its autonomous and teleoperation modes allow operators to scale coverage, reposition dynamically, and maintain continuous protection from drone threats.
The Leonidas AGV showcases the modularity and scalability of Epirus’ Leonidas HPM platform, a tested and proven counter-UAS solution that delivers software-defined electromagnetic interference effects to precisely neutralize drone threats. Leonidas safely defeats individual drones and saturation swarm attacks without expending costly and limited interceptors, creating a resilient, low-collateral close-in defense layer for critical assets and infrastructure.
The industry-leading, dual-use Kodiak Driver system enables the Leonidas AGV to operate autonomously across complex environments, from structured highways to unstructured off-road terrain. The system’s modular architecture ensures reliable and safe movement in areas where human operation may be inefficient or unsafe. With advanced perception and autonomous navigation, the Kodiak Driver allows the Leonidas AGV to maneuver dynamically and maintain uninterrupted counter-UAS coverage in contested environments.
Andy Lowery, CEO of Epirus, stated: “Saturation drone attacks demand a fundamentally different approach to defense. Leonidas AGV combines autonomous mobility with high-power