Officials celebrate opening of Epirus lab at FISTA Innovation Park

  • Eric Swanson | Southwest Ledger From the left, Lawton City Council member Linda Chapman, FISTA Development Trust Authority Chairman Mark Brace, Mayor Stan Booker, FISTA President/CEO Dr. Krista Ratliff, and Lawton City Council members Allan Hampton and Sherene Williams join Epirus representatives and Lawton-Fort Sill Chamber of/ Commerce ambassadors in cutting the ribbon for Epirus’ new Immersive Innovation Center.
    Eric Swanson | Southwest Ledger From the left, Lawton City Council member Linda Chapman, FISTA Development Trust Authority Chairman Mark Brace, Mayor Stan Booker, FISTA President/CEO Dr. Krista Ratliff, and Lawton City Council members Allan Hampton and Sherene Williams join Epirus representatives and Lawton-Fort Sill Chamber of/ Commerce ambassadors in cutting the ribbon for Epirus’ new Immersive Innovation Center.

    LAWTON – The opening of Epirus’ Immersive Innovation Center at the FISTA Innovation Park is a symbol of Lawton-Fort Sill’s enduring relationship with the soldiers at Fort Sill, said U.S. Rep. Tom Cole.

    “There’s not another community in this country that cares more about soldiers than Lawton-Fort Sill,” he said. “I think you’ll find in your new tenant, Epirus, you’ve got a company that cares about soldiers.”

    Cole joined city and state officials on Aug. 20 at the FISTA Innovation Park for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the Immersive Innovation Center, an interactive lab that supports technology designed to counter the threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems. The systems are also known as drones, and the technology designed to neutralize those threats is referred to as counter-UAS technology.

    The lab will support the use of emerging counter-UAS technologies such as Epirus’ microwave platform, known as Leonidas, according to information from Epirus. Leonidas uses software- defined, long-pulse microwave technology, which enables more versatile and effective deployment for a wide range of applications.

    The lab will provide a platform where Epirus can connect with other people dedicated to the counter-UAS mission, which will allow them to share knowledge and communicate, according to Epirus. The space also creates an immersive experience for participants, which will help the Epirus team exchange information with soldiers and gain additional insights into counter-UAS efforts.

    The ribbon-cutting ceremony was a major milestone for both Epirus and Lawton-Fort Sill, said FISTA President and CEO Dr. Krista Ratliff.

    “This lab represents more than just a state-of-the-art facility,” she said. “It is a symbol of collaboration, innovation and commitment to advancing technology that strengthens both our national defense and our local economy.”

    Mayor Stan Booker said the community was proud to have Epirus at FISTA.

    “You will not find a community that will invest more in being sure that we’re a valuable partner in your success,” he said.