The Marine Corps has signed an 11 million dollar contract with defense technology contractor Epirus to deploy an advanced counter-unmanned aircraft system for ground vehicles. This move marks a decisive step in modernizing defense capabilities, providing troops with a mobile solution capable of neutralizing electronic threats in a combat environment increasingly saturated by drones.
Microwave technology on wheels: The HAVOC system promises instant neutralization of aerial threats
The new system, known as HAVOC (High-power Microwave Autonomous Vehicle Operational Capability), utilizes high-power microwaves to temporarily incapacitate the electronic components of enemy drones. Designed for high versatility, the system features a universal sled mount, allowing it to be paired with a wide variety of both manned and unmanned vehicles. Beyond the delivery of the technology itself, the agreement includes personnel training, maintenance services, and long-term logistical support.
Epirus leadership emphasized that this partnership reflects the Marine Corps’ commitment to fielding software-defined systems optimized to meet threats that are evolving with staggering speed. Through this technology, ground forces receive a tool capable of managing multiple attack scenarios without resorting to conventional ammunition.
Protecting strategic points: The evolution from ExDECS to enhanced autonomous capability
HAVOC represents a superior iteration of the previous ExDECS system, which was delivered to the Marine Corps in 2025. This new version brings significant improvements in power output and coverage area, integrated with advanced autonomy features. The system’s primary role will be within Low Altitude Air Defense formations, where it will safeguard critical assets such as refueling points, radar systems, and ground-based logistical hubs.
This new capability strengthens the protection strategy for high-value points, offering a „one-to-many” solution capable of stopping entire drone swarms with minimal collateral damage. In a context where the safety of warfighters depends on technological precision, the HAVOC system becomes a central pillar of defense against enemy autonomous systems.
