L3Harris Technologies has announced new variants of its VAMPIRE counter-unmanned system, expanding the platform into land, maritime, air and electronic warfare domains, according to the company.
The VAMPIRE system, a self-contained platform designed for reconnaissance and precision strike against drones and remotely piloted aircraft, has been operational in European combat zones since 2023, say the company.
The company stated that the expanded VAMPIRE family demonstrates its ability to respond rapidly to evolving threats and the growing demand for affordable counter-UAS capabilities among U.S. and allied forces.
“VAMPIRE users have successfully shot down hundreds of enemy drones,” said Jon Rambeau, President of Integrated Mission Systems at L3Harris. “Compared to traditional missile systems, VAMPIRE greatly reduces the cost per effect to defend against drone attacks.”
L3Harris noted that the latest iterations of the system integrate additional sensors, precision weapons, and electronic warfare features, including non-kinetic countermeasures. Artificial intelligence and machine learning have also been incorporated to improve target detection, engagement speed and effectiveness against small, fast-moving unmanned threats.
VAMPIRE forms part of L3Harris’s wider Counter-Unmanned Systems initiative, which draws on the company’s experience across surveillance, electronic warfare and integrated mission systems.
$ per shot is the only relevant metric here though, dragonfire and related systems needed to bring the overall down