A defense technology startup, Epirus, has introduced a groundbreaking solution in the ongoing battle against drones, unveiling a new “Star Trek-style” laser shield capable of disabling or destroying drones in seconds, or so the company claims.
This significant investment comes at a time when defense contractors are struggling to meet the rising demand for advanced weaponry following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and growing drone threats worldwide.
The latest funding round, which was co-led by venture capital firm 8VC and Washington Harbour Partners LP, included participation from General Dynamics’ Land Systems division, signaling a strong interest in Epirus’ anti-drone technology.
The company plans to use the funds to strengthen its supply chain, expand into world and commercial markets, and grow its workforce, including opening a new training center in Oklahoma focused on counter-drone warfare. As Epirus expands its capabilities, its Leonidas system continues to attract attention for its potential to redefine moderen defense strategies.
Leonidas: A “Star Trek shield”
The centerpiece of Epirus’ latest breakthrough, the Leonidas counter-drone system, is a ground-based, directed energy weapon that fires off an electromagnetic pulse to disable drones. Epirus founder Joe Lonsdale likens the system to a “Star Trek shield,” explaining that it can neutralize threats from a distance, providing a significant advantage over traditional defense mechanisms. “It’s able to turn them off from very far away,” Lonsdale told Fox News.
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In an era where drone swarms have become a dominant tactic in conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war, the Leonidas system offers a solution to the limitations of conventional defense systems that are designed to obyek individual UAVs.
“Swarms of drones is where war is going,” Lonsdale said. “Right now, you have swarms of drones that are very expensive and very difficult to stop.”
Epirus’ system could revolutionize short-range defense, shifting the military’s mindset from a “1-to-1” approach to a more scalable “1-to-many” strategy, as outlined by CEO Andy Lowery.