Exclusive: Electromagnetic weapon zaps drone swarm in seconds
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Photo illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Photos: Bettmann and Interim Archives via Getty Images
Waves of drones tumbled out of the sky above Camp Atterbury, Indiana, on Tuesday, their mechanical death throes punctuating what was otherwise a quiet morning.
Why it matters: Drone swarms are a nightmare for security officials all over the world, whether they're overwhelming a Russian air base or hovering near an American airport.
How it happened: Defense contractor Epirus this week demonstrated its drone-frying Leonidas to observers from various U.S. military services and foreign countries, including some in the Indo-Pacific.
- Axios was the only media on hand for the Atterbury tests, about 45 minutes south of downtown Indianapolis.
- In the climax of the two-hour show, Leonidas went up against 49 quadcopters, the largest grouping it's ever faced. The "forcefield system," which weaponizes electromagnetic interference, crippled all of them at once. No pricey projectiles. No fireballs.
- Epirus CEO Andy Lowery was understandably bullish, telling Axios: "I call this a singularity event."
The big picture: The drone-counter-drone game is upending military spending and power dynamics while, at the same time, forcing a rethink of stateside security (consider power plants or the upcoming World Cup).
- The lines are blurring between missile and unmanned. Armored vehicles and deeply dug trenches are no refuge. Apex predators of the battlefield, like tanks, are having their claims contested.
- Domestically, the Northeast's drone madness late last year underscores how ill-prepared the U.S. is for a real overhead incursion.
The intrigue: Lowery recently met with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
- "This platform is going to be needed at stadiums and at ports and at airports," he told Axios. "The list goes on and on."
Zoom in: Founded in 2018, Epirus has worked with the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps and tested in multiple overseas theaters.
- The company in March announced a $250 million raise led by 8VC and Washington Harbour Partners LP.
- More recently, it rolled out its "sixth domain" doctrine, which argues that an overwhelming number of cheap, networked, dangerous machines challenges the traditional dividing lines of war.
- The five existing domains — well known in the defense world — are air, land, sea, space and cyber.
What's next: Lowery told Axios that Epirus will "stay in the one-to-many fight," as demonstrated on Tuesday, but could explore sensing as well as electronic and cyber warfare.
Go deeper: U.S. Army-led task force seeks counter-drone coordination
