US: New self-driving microwave weapon can take down drone swarms

The Leonidas Autonomous Ground Vehicle (AGV) is a newly unveiled self-driving counter-drone system developed collaboratively by U.S. companies Epirus, General Dynamics Land Systems, and Kodiak AI. Presented at the AUSA Global Force Symposium 2026, this vehicle integrates a high-power microwave weapon capable of neutralizing drone swarms within seconds. Unlike traditional missile-based defenses, which are costly and logistically complex to replenish, Leonidas offers a low-cost, autonomous alternative by using pulsed electromagnetic energy to disrupt the electronics of multiple drones simultaneously, causing failures in navigation, propulsion, or communication. Its microwave-based approach allows it to engage multiple targets at once, addressing the challenge of countering large, inexpensive drone swarms effectively. Built on a modified Ford F-600 medium-truck chassis, the Leonidas AGV combines sensors, power distribution, and autonomous driving technology to operate without a driver or under remote control. This design enables it to patrol sensitive areas or reposition dynamically without risking personnel.