The Pentagon has contracted L3Harris for additional Vehicle Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment (VAMPIRE) systems to support European operations.
The order builds on a $40-million deal in 2023, where the US ordered 14 VAMPIRE systems bound specifically for Ukraine.
While the recent contract value, system quantity, delivery timeline, and specific country recipients were not disclosed, it suggests Washington’s extension of support from Kyiv to a broader scope of European allies’ defense capabilities.
“L3Harris’ VAMPIRE has proven to be a reliable and cost-effective response to the growing counter-UAS threat on the global battlefield,” the company’s VP and GM for Targeting and Sensor Systems, Tom Kirkland, said.
“We will continue to work closely with the Department of Defense and our allied partners to provide formidable counter-UAS technology domestically and abroad.”
VAMPIRE
The VAMPIRE can be installed on vehicles with a cargo bed to perform reconnaissance and precision strikes against adversarial unmanned aerial systems and remotely piloted aircraft.
It is equipped with the company’s WESCAM MX-10D RSTA targeting and sensor suite, Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System laser-guided missiles or similar munitions, and Widow mission management software.
Although it is mainly used to detect and engage aerial and ground targets, the VAMPIRE has shown potential for use in sea operations, according to L3Harris.
