Defense contractor Epirus will test its directed-energy weaponry in an upcoming U.S. Navy experiment against small vessels. The company’s Leonidas technology will be used in the 2024 Advanced Naval Technology Exercise-Coastal Trident, or ANTX-CT24, examining how high-power microwaves can disable outboard motors, among other applications. Navy leaders seek directed-energy options for warships in response to various threats, including attack drones and unmanned surface vessels.
In 2022, the Army signed a $66 million deal with Epirus for the supply of Leonidas as part of its Indirect Fire Protection Capability venture to protect sites from various threats. Epirus CEO Andy Lowery expressed excitement for ANTX-CT24 to demonstrate the technology’s effectiveness in a threat environment. The company aims to defend against a wide range of threats across domains and collaborate with the Department of Defense.
At least 31 directed-energy initiatives are underway across the military, including Navy and Marine Corps programs like the Optical Dazzling Interdictor Navy and the High Energy Laser Counter-Anti-Ship Cruise Missile Program. The ANTX-CT series acts as a test bed for promising technologies, promoting collaboration among industry, academia, and the military. Technical demonstrations across various technology areas, including unmanned systems countermeasures, will be featured in ANTX-CT24.
