DroneShield counter drone system integrated into energy weapon

Drone detection and countermeasure manufacturer DroneShield and defence contractor Epirus Inc have completed integration of DroneShield’s multi-sensor DroneSentry system (pictured) with Epirus’ Leonidas high-power microwave (HPM) counter-electronics/counter-UAS effector.

The integration of DroneShield’s detection system with a high power microwave directed energy weapon allows for a fully integrated C-UAS system that can track multiple drone threats and then engage them.

DroneSentry incorporates radiofrequency, radar and electro-optic detection and tracking as well as a smart jamming UAS defeat module, powered by the company’s DroneSentry-C2 command-and-control system.

Epirus’ Leonidas is a counter-electronics system that is mounted on a gimble to increase manoeuvrability, allowing it be deployed as a fixed or mobile capability enabling wide-area rapid response.

DroneShield CEO Oleg Vornik said: “The combined system provides significantly expanded options for our US DoD, and in time, global customer base. Additionally, there are synergies on the business development front, which DroneShield and Epirus are already working on.”

Epirus was awarded a US$66 million US Government contract earlier this year for the stand-alone Leonidas systems.

And in November 2022, Epirus made an investment of Au$3.7 million into DroneShield as it looks to expand its international partner ecosystem.

Epirus CEO Ken Bedingfield said: “Epirus and DroneShield share common ethos of rapid pace, high tech innovation, to provide the warfighter with advanced technologies to protect against the rapidly rising threat of drones and other electronic threats. We are pleased to continue deepening the engagement over time.”

DroneShield has achieved a number of project wins in past six months, including two $11 million orders from government agencies of two separate countries in December 2022 and January 2023, a $2.2 million order in April, an initial UTM order in March as well as releasing DroneGun Mk4 in April.

Further reading:
Browse @AuManufacturing’s coverage of DroneShield here.

Picture: DroneShield/DroneShield DroneSentry system