Epirus has opened a cutting-edge counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) innovation facility at Fort Sill’s Fires Innovation Science and Technology Accelerator (FISTA) Innovation Park located in Lawton, Oklahoma. The new center, named the Epirus Immersive Innovation Center (EIIC), spans 5,300 square feet and is designed to be a hands-on development space for advanced anti-drone technologies. Central to the facility’s offerings are the company’s acclaimed Leonidas high-power microwave system and weaponized electromagnetic interference capabilities.
The EIIC is equipped with state-of-the-art features, including simulation terminals, mission planning bays, and interactive control stations. These resources allow operators to conduct tests in realistic threat scenarios, which is essential for refining both system performance and user interface design.
The establishment of the EIIC is part of Epirus’s broader strategy to enhance the effectiveness of C-UAS solutions, particularly in neutralizing multiple drones simultaneously. The facility is strategically aimed at fostering collaboration between engineers and front-line operators, thereby bridging the gap between innovative design and practical application in response to escalating drone threats.
US Representative Tom Cole, who also chairs the House Committee on Appropriations, participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony that celebrated the official opening of the center. In his address, Cole emphasized the importance of the center as a critical investment in advancing modern warfare technology and enhancing national security. He highlighted that as potential threats evolve, the capabilities offered by systems like the Leonidas high-power microwave platform are essential for maintaining a strategic advantage for the United States.
“This simulation center is exactly what our air defenders at Fort Sill need to stay ahead of the drone threat and prepare for future confrontations,” Cole remarked, expressing pride in Epirus’s expansion within Oklahoma and its contribution to the state’s innovation ecosystem.
FISTA Innovation Park serves as a regional hub for defense technology and is home to the U.S. Army’s Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems University, further underscoring the significance of this new facility in contributing to national defense initiatives.
