OVERVIEW: A Microwave Burst is a high‑power microwave (HPM) counter‑UAS system designed to disable multiple drones simultaneously within approximately 1 km. It provides non‑kinetic, area-effective defense against unmanned aerial swarms.

DETAILS: Microwave Burst systems emit short, intense electromagnetic pulses that overwhelm drone electronics such as flight controllers, guidance systems, and communications causing system failure. Developments include the USAF's THOR, designed to protect airbases, and the Army’s IFPC‑HPM program led by Epirus with its Leonidas system. The technology enables "one‑to‑many" engagements, neutralizing several drones in rapid succession, and is deployable in containerized or vehicle-mounted configurations.

FUNCTION: Upon activation, the system detects incoming drones, targets the swarm, and emits a focused microwave pulse intended to degrade or destroy electronic systems, causing drones to crash or lose control. This approach precludes the need for multiple missile intercepts by disrupting multiple targets at once.

NOTE:IOC: 2023 (Leonidas IFPC‑HPM field deliveries), 2023 (THOR prototype testing)Operators: United States (USAF, US Army), United Kingdom (RapidDestroyer trials), Epirus Leonidas deployed to US Marine CorpsPlatforms: THOR container systems; Leonidas trailer‑based and vehicle‑mounted ExDECS configurationsConflict used in: Ukraine (experimental deployment 2022–2025), UK trials 2025

SOURCE: Breaking Defense: https://breakingdefense.com/2025/02/high-power-microwave-force-field-knocks-drone-swarms-from-sky/ ; Epirus: https://www.epirusinc.com/press-releases/epirus-finalizes-delivery-of-four-ifpc-hpm-systems-to-u-s-army-completes-new-equipment-training-and-engineering-developmental-testing ; New Atlas: https://newatlas.com/military/thor-microwave-weapon-drone-swarms/ ; Financial Times (RapidDestroyer): https://www.ft.com/content/41703199-201e-4702-b34a-a0a633cdfcf5 ; Wikipedia THOR: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/THOR_(weapon)

