VAMPIRE (weapon)
Anti-UAV weapons system
Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletised ISR Rocket Equipment (VAMPIRE) is a family of portable, modular weapon systems developed by L3Harris primarily to Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) and other low-flying aircraft, but is capable of multiple functions. The VAMPIRE system acts as a low-cost countermeasure against drones, reducing the need for more expensive interceptors.
As of 2025, L3Harris is capable of producing 20-40 VAMPIRE systems per month. In March 2026 high-volume production of VAMPIRE systems began in Huntsville, Alabama.
01Design
The VAMPIRE is a portable kit and can be installed on a wide variety of vehicles with a cargo bed or fixed position. The base VAMPIRE system consists of a four-round launcher LAND-LGR4 launcher for 70 mm laser-guided rockets, primarily the APKWS II, electro-optical/infrared modular sensor ball such as WESCAM MX-RSTA, and a laser designator elevated on a telescoping mast as well as a self-contained power supply and a control system.
Later variants use artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms from Shield AI that allows detection and identification of drones from a greater distance. The AI integration makes the VAMPIRE capable of targeting UAVs from Groups 1 to 3, even small targets such as FPV drones.
Other variants include electronic warfare and base defense turrets.
02Operational history
2022 Russo-Ukrainian war
Several systems were supplied to Ukraine in 2022 as part of a US$3 billion aid package by the US. Ukrainian VAMPIRE systems use both the APKWS II and Thales 70 mm FZ275 LGR rocket with an FZ123 warhead.
03Variants
- VAMPIRE Stalker XR: Enlarged launcher with 12 missiles.
- VAMPIRE CASKET (Containerized Anti-drone System with Kinetic Effects Turret): Containerized version.
- VAMPIRE BAT (Base Anti-drone Turret): Static turret with a missile launcher replaced with a machine gun. High-power microwave (HPM) directed-energy weapon option under development.
- VAMPIRE Black Wake: Variant mounted aboard uncrewed surface vessels.
- VAMPIRE Dead Wing: Variant for attack helicopters such as the Apache.
- VAMPIRE Killcode: Variant that replaces kinetic weapons with an electronic warfare system.
Sources and credits
This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article “VAMPIRE (weapon)”, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.
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