Tue, Aug 06, 2019
Proposed EM Pulse Anti-Drone Technology At AF UAS Pitch Day
Epirus, a developer of software-defined electromagnetic pulse (EMP) technology designed to take down dangerous drones, was awarded a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase I contract by the U.S. Air Force at its Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Pitch Day on July 24. Epirus CEO Nathan Mintz and CTO Bo Marr led the company's presentation, held at the Kostas Research Institute for Homeland Security in Burlington, MA.
Epirus, which is based near the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center in El Segundo, Calif., was one of just 13 firms out of 108 selected to present at UAS Pitch Day. Epirus presented the world's first ever megawatt-class drone-mounted, directed energy capability system and was the only company with this capability that was selected for a contract award. Epirus presented video demonstrations of the megawatt class system at work in the field.
Epirus's technology uses a short burst of directed energy to neutralize UAS such as drones, which present a new, unique threat to national security. In fact, recreational drones have caused shutdowns at busy airports like London's Gatwick, affecting thousands of travelers. And as drone technology becomes cheaper and more easily accessible, the possibility of them being used by enemy combatants of all types continues to increase. The company has expertise in understanding how drones respond to EMP, which helps inform its work in developing technological innovations for how America will defeat drone swarms.
"I am very proud of our team for making the cut among such strong competition. This contract demonstrates the efficacy of our efforts to date and gives us an important financial win as a new company," said Mintz. "Having our megawatt-class drone-mounted, directed energy capability system recognized by the U.S. Air Force, which has the ultimate responsibility to keep us safe from aerial threats of all types, is a real honor. This contract award will mature the airborne capability and work towards preparing the device for production."
(Source: Epirus news release)
More News
About 2132 And At 11,800 Ft MSL, The Airplane Began A Rapid Right Spiraling Descent On August 18, 2025, about 2133 central daylight time, a Lancair NLA-275-FR-C airplane, N345LA, w>[...]
Aero Linx: The Collings Foundation The Collings Foundation is a non-profit, Educational Foundation (501(c)3), founded in 1979. The purpose of the Foundation is to preserve and exhi>[...]
"This first FAA certification enables us to address the pilot shortage crisis with modern training solutions. Flight schools need alternatives to aging fleets with 40-year-old desi>[...]
North Atlantic High Level Airspace (NAT HLA) That volume of airspace (as defined in ICAO Document 7030) between FL 285 and FL 420 within the Oceanic Control Areas of Bodo Oceanic, >[...]
“HITRON embodies the Coast Guard’s spirit of innovation and adaptability. From its humble beginnings as a prototype program, it has evolved into a vital force in our co>[...]
NTSB Prelim: Lancair NLA-275-FR-C
See All