At the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) 2025 exposition in Washington D.C., L3Harris Technologies unveiled a refined version of its Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment (VAMPIRE) system. Designed to rapidly convert light tactical vehicles into mobile counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) platforms using laser-guided rockets, VAMPIRE addresses urgent battlefield needs for scalable and affordable drone defense. The system has already seen operational deployment in Ukraine and is now being pitched for broader U.S. Army adoption.
VAMPIRE System Overview and Capabilities
The VAMPIRE is a modular weapon station designed to be mounted on a wide range of light tactical vehicles—including commercial pickup trucks—without requiring structural modifications. It integrates a four-round launcher for Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) rockets with an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor turret and a fire control system. The entire unit is palletized and can be installed or removed in under two hours using standard tools.
The core kinetic effector is the APKWS—a 70 mm (2.75-inch) rocket equipped with semi-active laser guidance. Originally developed for air-to-ground engagements by helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, APKWS has been adapted for ground launch via systems like VAMPIRE to engage Group 1–3 drones at ranges exceeding 5 km. The rocket’s precision guidance allows it to neutralize small UAVs with minimal collateral damage.
In addition to its kinetic kill capability, the VAMPIRE includes integrated sensors capable of autonomous target acquisition and tracking. According to L3Harris representatives at AUSA 2025, the latest iteration includes improved stabilization for on-the-move engagements and enhanced software integration for faster sensor-to-shooter loops.
Operational Experience from Ukraine
The VAMPIRE gained international attention when it was selected as part of a U.S.-funded military aid package to Ukraine in August 2022 under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). At least four systems were delivered by early 2023 through Rapid Defense procurement channels. Ukrainian forces reportedly used them effectively against Iranian-made Shahed loitering munitions and various commercial quadcopters employed by Russian forces.
Although detailed after-action reports remain classified or anecdotal, open-source imagery confirmed VAMPIRE units mounted on Ford Ranger-style pickups operating near frontline areas. Their mobility enabled rapid repositioning to cover gaps in radar coverage or protect logistics convoys from FPV drone swarms—a growing threat in modern hybrid warfare.
The Ukrainian experience validated several key assumptions behind the program: namely that low-cost guided munitions paired with off-the-shelf vehicles could deliver effective SHORAD capabilities without relying on high-end air defense assets like NASAMS or Patriot batteries.
AUSA 2025 Upgrades: Mobility and Modularity
At AUSA 2025, L3Harris showcased an upgraded variant of VAMPIRE mounted on an Army-configured Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). This marks a shift from ad hoc fielding toward formal integration with U.S. military platforms. Key improvements include:
- Improved EO/IR sensor suite: Featuring higher-resolution thermal imaging and extended detection range.
- Slew-to-cue functionality: Integration with radar feeds enables automatic tracking handoff from sensors like KuRFS or Giraffe radars.
- Crew protection upgrades: Armored cab options allow operation in contested environments without exposing personnel.
- Networked fire control: Compatible with Army Battle Command Systems (ABCS), enabling remote cuing and cooperative engagement modes.
L3Harris emphasized that the system remains platform-agnostic—it can be deployed on JLTVs, MRAPs, or even trailers depending on mission profile. The company also hinted at future variants integrating non-kinetic effectors such as RF jammers or directed energy weapons as technology matures.
Tactical Role in Evolving C-UAS Doctrine
The proliferation of low-cost drones has forced militaries worldwide to rethink their short-range air defense strategies. Traditional systems like Avenger or Stinger MANPADS are often too expensive or limited in magazine depth to deal with massed drone swarms. In contrast, APKWS offers a cost-effective middle ground between small arms fire and high-end interceptors like AIM-9X or AMRAAM.
The U.S. Army’s Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office (JCO) has endorsed layered defense concepts combining kinetic interceptors with electronic warfare and passive detection assets. Within this architecture, systems like VAMPIRE fill a critical niche—providing mobile precision fires against drones that evade jamming but are too fast or distant for small arms engagement.
The ability to rapidly deploy such systems across dispersed formations also aligns with emerging Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) doctrine where maneuver units must self-defend against aerial threats without waiting for centralized air defense support.
Procurement Outlook and Industry Implications
L3Harris has positioned VAMPIRE as both an interim solution for urgent operational needs and a long-term component of distributed C-UAS architecture. While initial deliveries were funded via emergency aid channels like USAI or FMF grants, future procurement may occur through standard Army acquisition pathways if testing continues successfully at Yuma Proving Ground and other sites.
The modularity of the system opens doors beyond just military applications—border security forces or critical infrastructure protection agencies could adapt it for homeland defense roles against commercial UAV incursions. Additionally, foreign militaries facing similar drone threats may seek export versions under Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) arrangements.
L3Harris faces competition from other SHORAD/C-UAS solutions such as Anduril’s Roadrunner-M loitering interceptor or Rheinmetall’s Skyranger turret; however, its emphasis on affordability and rapid fieldability gives it an edge in budget-constrained environments where speed matters more than sophistication alone.
Conclusion: A Flexible Tool Against Asymmetric Air Threats
The VAMPIRE system exemplifies how legacy technologies—like laser-guided rockets—can be repurposed through smart integration into new operational contexts such as counter-drone warfare. Its successful use in Ukraine underscores its battlefield relevance while upgrades shown at AUSA 2025 suggest growing maturity within U.S.-led force structures.
If adopted at scale by the U.S. Army or allied forces operating in contested regions such as Eastern Europe or the Indo-Pacific theater, VAMPIRE could become a key enabler of agile air defense against proliferating unmanned threats across all domains.
