US military advances unmanned technology with HAVOC and Orca

The US Marine Corps has entered an $11 million contract with Epirus to provide the HAVOC (High-power microwave Autonomous Vehicle Operational Capability) system. This autonomous vehicle utilizes a high-energy microwave effector designed to identify and neutralize drone swarms via electromagnetic pulses. The system is built upon the Epirus ExDECS platform but features an antenna with three times the power to increase range and effectiveness while maintaining a similar size. It is designed for high-value asset protection and is built to operate in diverse weather conditions, including monsoon environments.

In separate maritime developments, the US Navy's Orca-class Extra Large Uncrewed Undersea Vehicle (XLUUV) successfully completed its first underwater transfer exceeding 1,000 nautical miles. The mission, conducted in the eastern Pacific Ocean, utilized a diesel-electric propulsion system where the diesel engine acts as a range extender to recharge batteries. This milestone supports the Pentagon's strategic goal of expanding unmanned operations in the Pacific region. The Orca has an official range of approximately 6,500 nautical miles.