HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — March 24, 2026 : A U.S. defense industry team comprising Epirus, General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS), and Kodiak AI has unveiled a new autonomous counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) platform, the Leonidas Autonomous Ground Vehicle (AGV), at the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) Global Force Symposium & Exhibition.
The system integrates a high-power microwave (HPM) weapon with an AI-enabled autonomous driving platform on a commercial truck chassis, creating a mobile, crewless solution designed for point defense, expeditionary missions, and homeland security applications. A full-scale prototype is being displayed at Booth 801 during the event.
Platform Design and System Integration
The Leonidas AGV is built on a commercial-grade Ford F-600 truck chassis and was developed as a rapid prototype through internal investment by the three companies. General Dynamics Land Systems acted as the lead system integrator, combining Epirus’ directed energy system with Kodiak AI’s autonomous driving technology.
The integration process was completed in under four months, demonstrating a proof-of-concept approach using commercially derived technologies adapted for defense applications.
At the core of the vehicle is Epirus’ Leonidas high-power microwave system, a software-defined, solid-state directed energy platform based on gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductors. The system uses directional phased-array antennas to emit electromagnetic energy capable of disrupting or disabling electronic components in unmanned aerial systems.
Unlike kinetic air defense systems, the HPM approach does not rely on interceptors. It provides what developers describe as “unlimited magazine depth,” frequency-agile waveforms, and modular amplifier units that can be replaced in under eight minutes. The system has demonstrated effectiveness against a range of threats, including individual drones, swarm attacks, and fiber-optic guided first-person view (FPV) drones in live testing.
Autonomous Mobility and Navigation
The vehicle’s mobility is enabled by Kodiak AI’s “Kodiak Driver,” an autonomous driving system originally developed for commercial trucking. The platform incorporates modular SensorPods equipped with LiDAR, radar, and camera systems, providing full 360-degree situational awareness.
The system includes redundant safety architecture across compute, power, steering, and braking systems. It supports operation across highways, off-road terrain, and mixed environments, enabling deployment in both structured and unstructured operational areas.
The Leonidas AGV can operate fully autonomously or be remotely teleoperated. This allows operators to reposition the system dynamically, establish defensive perimeters, and maintain coverage without placing personnel in direct exposure to threats.
Operational Roles and Use Cases
The platform is designed to provide a mobile layer of counter-UAS defense across a range of mission sets. These include protection of military installations, forward operating bases, and expeditionary deployments, as well as homeland security roles such as securing airports, ports, energy infrastructure, rail networks, and major public events.
Its autonomous capability enables rapid deployment to pre-planned intercept locations or continuous maneuvering along defensive perimeters. The system is intended to support scalable coverage while reducing reliance on personnel and minimizing logistical demands associated with traditional interceptor-based systems.
Industry officials indicated that the Leonidas AGV could align with requirements from U.S. Army air defense programs and organizations such as Joint Interagency Task Force (JIATF) 401.
Directed Energy Effects and Operational Advantages
The high-power microwave system creates a close-range defensive layer by targeting the electronics of incoming threats rather than physically destroying them. This approach allows simultaneous engagement of multiple drones over a wide area while limiting collateral effects, making it suitable for operations in populated or infrastructure-dense environments.
The system’s ability to counter saturation attacks addresses a growing challenge in modern conflicts, where low-cost drones are deployed in large numbers. By avoiding the use of expensive interceptors, the platform is positioned as a cost-effective alternative for sustained operations.
Industry Statements
Andy Lowery, Chief Executive Officer of Epirus, stated that the system is designed to address evolving aerial threats by combining directed energy with autonomous mobility, enabling rapid maneuver and engagement of drone swarms without increasing personnel requirements.
Keith Barclay, Vice President and General Manager for U.S. Operations at General Dynamics Land Systems, said the program reflects efforts to accelerate integration of advanced technologies into operational platforms using commercially derived solutions.
Don Burnette, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kodiak AI, noted that autonomous mobility enables new deployment concepts for defensive systems, allowing continuous protection of critical assets while reducing risk to personnel.
Development Background and Future Plans
The unveiling follows recent operational testing of Epirus’ standalone high-power microwave systems. Earlier versions were deployed in the Indo-Pacific during the U.S. Army’s Balikatan exercise, and a second-generation system completed testing with the Army in February 2026.
The companies plan to continue development of the Leonidas AGV, including further operational demonstrations and evaluations for potential military and government customers throughout the year.
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