Epirus, General Dynamics Land Systems and Kodiak AI Unveil New Autonomous HPM System for Counter-UAS
Rhea-AI Summary
Epirus, General Dynamics Land Systems and Kodiak AI (KDK) unveiled the Leonidas Autonomous Ground Vehicle (AGV), a mobile, fully autonomous counter-UAS system that integrates Epirus’ Leonidas high-power microwave platform, Kodiak Driver autonomy, and GDLS system integration expertise.
The Leonidas AGV is designed for rapid autonomous deployment to intercept individual drones and swarms, operate in autonomous or teleoperated modes, and will be shown as a full-scale prototype at AUSA Global Force Symposium & Exhibition.
Positive
- Integration of Epirus Leonidas HPM with Kodiak Driver autonomy
- Lead system integration by General Dynamics Land Systems
- Designed for autonomous counter-UAS and critical point defense
- Full-scale prototype to be exhibited at AUSA
Negative
- Currently a prototype; no production schedule disclosed
- No procurement contracts, pricing, or delivery timelines announced
News Market Reaction – KDK
On the day this news was published, KDK gained 3.00%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +9.2% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 6 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $39M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $1.34B at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Previous AI Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 16 | AI platform partnership | Positive | +0.5% | NVIDIA DRIVE Hyperion integration to scale Kodiak Driver capabilities. |
| Feb 18 | Defense leadership hire | Positive | +1.4% | Appointment to lead defense vertical and advance military integrations. |
| Feb 11 | USMC AGV contract | Positive | -1.5% | U.S. Marine Corps contract to integrate Kodiak Driver into ROGUE-Fires. |
| Dec 31 | Debt refinancing | Positive | -0.8% | New $30M term loan extending maturity and reducing interest spread. |
| Dec 18 | 5G connectivity deal | Positive | +6.5% | Verizon 5G/IoT integration to support 24/7 driverless operations. |
AI-related collaborations and defense news have mostly seen modest positive reactions, with some divergence on contract and financing updates.
Over the past year, Kodiak AI has issued multiple AI-tagged updates centered on scaling its autonomous driving stack, expanding defense applications, and strengthening its balance sheet. Partnerships with NVIDIA and Verizon, a defense leadership hire, and a U.S. Marine Corps autonomous ground vehicle contract all highlighted broader use cases for the Kodiak Driver. A debt refinancing improved liquidity and runway. Today’s autonomous counter‑UAS vehicle announcement with Epirus and GDLS extends this theme of applying Kodiak’s platform to defense and critical infrastructure missions.
Historical Comparison
Prior AI-tagged announcements for KDK have averaged a 1.21% move over 24 hours, mainly on partnerships, defense wins, and financing updates.
AI-tagged news shows progression from connectivity and autonomy partnerships to defense-specific leadership, contracts, and capital structure optimization.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights further extension of the Kodiak Driver platform into defense and critical infrastructure via an autonomous counter‑UAS vehicle with Epirus and GDLS. It builds on prior AI-tagged news around defense contracts, leadership additions, and technology partnerships. Investors may watch for concrete deployment volumes, follow-on contracts, and how such collaborations translate into revenue growth and improved operating metrics over time.
Key Terms
high-power microwave technical
autonomous ground vehicle technical
counter-UAS technical
teleoperated technical
electromagnetic interference technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Leonidas Autonomous Ground Vehicle (AGV) combines Epirus’ Leonidas high-power microwave platform, the Kodiak Driver autonomous system and General Dynamics Land Systems’ system integration expertise to deliver a mobile, autonomous counter-UAS capability
LOS ANGELES, March 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Epirus, General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) and Kodiak AI (Kodiak) today unveiled Leonidas Autonomous Ground Vehicle (AGV), a mobile, fully autonomous vehicle for counter-UAS, critical point defense and homeland security missions.
Leonidas AGV features Epirus’ Leonidas high-power microwave platform integrated onto a commercial-grade truck platform equipped with Kodiak’s AI-powered autonomous driving system, the Kodiak Driver. General Dynamics Land Systems served as lead system integrator.
Leonidas AGV delivers a mobile counter-UAS capability that can be operated without human intervention or teleoperated to extend the counter-UAS line of defense across fixed-site and expeditionary mission sets.
Designed for autonomous critical point defense counter-UAS operations, Leonidas AGV can rapidly deploy to pre-planned intercept points or maneuver across a perimeter to protect critical assets from the threat of individual, swarm or fiber-optic controlled drone attacks. Leonidas AGV is well-suited for a range of missions, including defense of military installations, forward operating bases, airports, ports, energy infrastructure and major public events. The system’s autonomous and teleoperation modes allow operators to scale coverage, reposition dynamically and maintain continuous coverage from drone threats.
Leonidas AGV showcases the modularity and scalability of Epirus’ Leonidas high-power microwave platform, a tested and proven counter-UAS solution that delivers software-defined electromagnetic interference effects to precisely neutralize drone threats. Leonidas safely defeats individual drones and saturation swarm attacks without expending costly and limited interceptors, creating a resilient and low-collateral close-in defense layer for critical assets and infrastructure.
The industry-leading, dual-use Kodiak Driver system enables Leonidas AGV to operate autonomously across a range of complex environments, from structured highways to unstructured off-road environments and everything in between. The system’s modular architecture ensures reliable and safe movement in areas where human operation may be inefficient or unsafe. With advanced perception and autonomous navigation, Kodiak Driver allows Leonidas AGV to maneuver dynamically and maintain uninterrupted counter-UAS coverage in contested environments.
“Saturation drone attacks demand a fundamentally different approach to defense,” said Andy Lowery, CEO of Epirus. “Leonidas AGV combines autonomous mobility with high-power microwave effects to deliver a counter-UAS capability that rapidly maneuvers to defeat drone swarms without more boots on the ground. Together with GDLS and Kodiak, we’re enabling a new layer of autonomous drone defense for critical assets and infrastructure.”
“We partner with other companies so we can provide best-in-class capabilities to the Army — and the Leonidas AGV is a timely example,” said Keith Barclay, Vice President and General Manager for U.S. Operations at General Dynamics Land Systems. “Integrating leading-edge technology from Epirus and Kodiak into a commercial-based vehicle is one way to ensure American soldiers have the power to win on the battlefield. At GDLS, we’re moving faster than ever before, and we think there’s a great future for commercially inspired innovations such as Leonidas AGV.”
“Autonomous mobility fundamentally changes how advanced defensive systems can be deployed and operated,” said Don Burnette, Founder and CEO, Kodiak AI. “By integrating the Kodiak Driver with Epirus’ Leonidas platform and GDLS’ integration expertise, we are demonstrating how commercially developed autonomy enables mobile counter-UAS capabilities that protect critical assets and keep warfighters out of harm’s way. This collaboration directly meets the U.S. military’s need for scalable, adaptable and cost-effective autonomous ground vehicles.” A full-scale Leonidas AGV prototype will be on display at Booth 801 at the AUSA Global Force Symposium & Exhibition in Huntsville, Alabama.
About Epirus:
Epirus is a high-growth technology company dedicated to overcoming the asymmetric challenges inherent to the future of national security. Epirus' flagship technology, Leonidas, is a software defined, energy-based high-power microwave platform, built using intelligent power management techniques that allow power-hungry systems to do more with less. For more information on Epirus' solutions or to request an interview with subject matter experts, please contact media@epirusinc.com.
About General Dynamics Land Systems:
Land Systems is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD). Land Systems provides innovative design, engineering, technology, production, fielding and full life-cycle support for land combat vehicles around the globe. The company's extensive experience, customer-first focus and seasoned supply chain network provide unmatched capabilities to the U.S. military and its allies.
About Kodiak AI, Inc.
Kodiak AI (NASDAQ: KDK) was founded in 2018 and is a leading provider of AI-powered autonomous vehicle technology that is designed to help tackle some of the toughest driving jobs. Kodiak's driverless solution can help address the critical problem of safely transporting goods in the face of unprecedented supply chain challenges. Kodiak's vision is to become the trusted world leader in autonomous ground transportation. Kodiak is committed to a safer and more efficient future for all through the commercialization of driverless trucking at scale. To that end, Kodiak developed the Kodiak Driver, a virtual driver that combines advanced AI-powered software with modular and vehicle-agnostic hardware designed to help address Kodiak's customers' needs. The Kodiak Driver is not just an idea—it is operating without a human driver today. Kodiak serves customers in both commercial trucking and the public sector. In 2024, Kodiak believes it achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first company to deploy customer-owned and -operated driverless trucks in commercial service. The Kodiak Driver is also being utilized in the public sector, where Kodiak believes it can support national security initiatives and critical government applications. Kodiak’s press kit with videos and images can be found HERE.
Kodiak Media Contacts
Daniel Goff
+1-646-515-3933, dan@kodiak.ai
Stacy Morris
+1-310-415-9188, stacy.morris@futuristacommunications.com
Kodiak AI Investor Relations
Lauren Sloane
The Blueshirt Group for Kodiak
Lauren@blueshirtgroup.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e9ae0695-39a0-48a3-85a4-4a26175e61a5
FAQ
What is the Leonidas AGV unveiled by Epirus, GDLS and Kodiak (KDK) on March 24, 2026?
How does the Leonidas AGV protect critical assets and infrastructure (KDK)?
Will Leonidas AGV operate autonomously or require human control, and what modes are available (KDK)?
When and where can investors or attendees see the Leonidas AGV prototype (KDK)?
Does the Leonidas AGV announcement include procurement, pricing, or production timelines for KDK?
