The US Marine Corps has awarded Epirus a contract to deliver a vehicle-mounted high-power microwave system for countering drone swarms.
The US Marine Corps has awarded the electronic warfare company Epirus an $11-million contract to deliver a vehicle-mounted high-power microwave system to counter drone swarms.
Based on Epirus’ Leonidas weapon, the High-power Microwave Autonomous Vehicle Operational Capability (HAVOC) features a universal sled mount for integration across the Marine Corps’ manned and unmanned ground vehicles.
HAVOC is an evolution of Epirus’ Expeditionary Directed Energy Counter-Swarm (ExDECS), which the company delivered to the US Marine Corps in 2025.
At the core of the Leonidas technology are solid-state high-power microwave components and gallium nitride amplifiers used to generate and amplify electromagnetic energy for engaging multiple unmanned aerial systems.
Compared with ExDECS, HAVOC will reportedly deliver three times the power, greater range and ruggedness, and autonomous capabilities designed to reduce operators’ decision-making burden.
“This award highlights the Marine Corps’ commitment to fielding integrated, software-defined systems optimized for the complex and rapidly evolving drone threat,” Epirus CEO Andy Lowery said.
“The HAVOC system will advance the one-to-many solution introduced with ExDECS and strengthen the Marines’ ability to deliver precise, low-collateral protection of high-value points and Marine warfighters.”
HAVOC System
HAVOC will provide a mobile, non-kinetic counter-drone capability to complement the Marine Corps’ existing low-altitude air defense units, which employ systems such as the FIM-92 Stinger, as part of a layered air-defense architecture.
The system is designed to protect air defense assets, refueling points, radars, communications equipment, power systems, and other forward-deployed assets against drone threats.
Its latest high-power microwave architecture is designed to expand coverage and increase power output while enabling continuous, software-driven tuning to improve operational effectiveness and electronic effects.
The contract also includes training, service, and sustainment support, with options for an additional system and related capabilities.
