Epirus announced a nearly $17 million contract modification from the U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) for the development and integration of an upgraded sensor suite in support of the Integrated Fires Protection Capability High Power Microwave (IFPC-HPM) program.
Under the scope of work, Epirus will integrate a closed-loop fire control system and perform software development to increase the operational suitability and effectiveness of the IFPC-HPM systems. The upgrades will, in part, reduce engagement latency, enhance the soldier user experience and improve accuracy of the IFPC-HPM systems.
“As a non-traditional defense contractor, Epirus has always moved at the speed of commercial technology development without sacrificing effectiveness,” said Epirus CEO Andy Lowery. “The same ethos that brought our HPM systems to life in record time will drive the development of a sensing suite to increase the effectiveness of the IFPC-HPM systems prior to its deployment. Whether it’s the detection technology or the effector, we are committed to developing the most effective system-of-systems to close the C-UAS kill chain.”
In May 2024, Epirus announced the delivery of four IFPC-HPM systems to the Army after successful completion of engineering developmental testing (EDT). Data collected during EDT demonstrated both the effectiveness of the Epirus-developed effector and revealed the need for additional work to make the system easier for Soldiers to implement.
“The system worked very well, but we had some additional work to do, from a suitability perspective,” said Lt. Gen. Robert Rasch in an August 2024 Breaking Defense article. “It wasn’t the weapon system… [but] how the weapon system fits into the larger kill chain. So we’ve added some capability to the system to make it easier for the soldier to implement.”
RCCTO awarded Epirus a $66 million other transaction authority for the rapid prototyping of four HPM systems to counter drone swarms in January 2023. Epirus delivered the first IFPC-HPM system just nine months after contract award and finalized delivery of all four systems in March 2024.