- L3Harris has been selected by the US Navy to provide the VAMPIRE counter-unmanned system in support of coastal defense.
- The VAMPIRE system can be installed on most cargo vehicles, integrating reconnaissance and strike capabilities.
- The system uses AI to accelerate the detection and engagement of small unmanned threats.
- The Navy's selection adds VAMPIRE to L3Harris's counter-unmanned systems portfolio.
L3Harris Technologies, a US defense technology company, has been chosen by the US Navy to supply the VAMPIRE counter-unmanned system in support of coastal defense, the company announced on September 8. These weapons will support the US's growing integrated counter-unmanned system architecture. VAMPIRE is a standalone system that provides advanced reconnaissance and precision strike capabilities against drones and remotely operated platforms across multiple operational domains. VAMPIRE stands for "Vehicle Agnostic Modular Palletized Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Rocket Equipment."
L3Harris describes it as a portable kit that can be installed on most vehicles equipped with cargo beds. The system integrates reconnaissance and precision strike capabilities into a single weapons solution.
Capabilities and Features of the VAMPIRE System
According to L3Harris, VAMPIRE can be configured to fire Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) rockets or other laser-guided munitions. However, the company has not yet determined the specific type of ammunition that will be supplied to the Navy system. When equipped with laser-guided 70mm APKWS rockets, the counter-unmanned system can engage targets at a maximum range of 9 miles (15 kilometers). L3Harris states that VAMPIRE's larger family combines sensors, precision weapons, electronic jammers, and non-kinetic effectors.
It leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to accelerate the detection, engagement, and defeat of small unmanned threats.
Multiple Variants of the VAMPIRE System
The company has developed multiple variants of the system for different missions, including land, maritime, airborne, containerized, base defense, and electronic warfare variants, although L3Harris has not yet specified which named variant the Navy will receive. To adapt to the conditions of the maritime environment, L3Harris is engineering new features and enhancing the durability of VAMPIRE for the Navy. The company did not provide technical details about these modifications. "VAMPIRE is a flexible and effective system that meets the US Navy's unique needs for coastal C-UxS defense," said Tony Calderon, President of the Targets and Sensors Systems division of L3Harris's Communications and Spectrum Dominance business.
"We are engineering new features to adapt to the customer's mission and enhancing VAMPIRE to withstand the environmental stresses of the maritime environment."
The value of the Navy order has not yet been disclosed, and L3Harris has not revealed the number of systems involved or provided a delivery timeline. The announcement did not include engagement ranges, launcher capacity, or other performance specifications. The Navy's selection follows another order for VAMPIRE by the US Army. These plans extend the system's use to two military services, although the respective configurations have not yet been detailed. L3Harris is also providing Wraith Shield software to support layered counter-unmanned operations. The software, set to launch in early 2026, offers radio-as-a-sensor capabilities and is designed to help defeat small drones.
Wraith Shield can be integrated with VAMPIRE and the company's Drone Guardian system. L3Harris describes Drone Guardian as a counter-unmanned aerial vehicle system that automatically detects, tracks, and identifies drone threats using multiple correlated sensors. Integrating these three technologies provides a layered defense against unmanned threats. VAMPIRE offers reconnaissance and precision strike capabilities, while Wraith Shield provides radio-based sensing, and Drone Guardian adds automatic detection, tracking, and identification capabilities.
L3Harris provides defense technologies in the space, air, land, maritime, and cyber domains. The Navy's selection adds VAMPIRE to the company's expanding counter-unmanned systems portfolio serving US military customers.
Impact of the VAMPIRE System on Naval Defense
As the threat of drones continues to grow, the Navy's selection of L3Harris's VAMPIRE system demonstrates a commitment to new technologies. The system not only offers flexibility but also integrates multiple advanced technologies to enhance defensive capabilities. L3Harris's development plans indicate that military needs are driving technological innovation, particularly in maritime applications. This not only strengthens the Navy's defensive capabilities but also reflects a strategic shift in the US approach to countering drone threats.