L3Harris has revealed new details about its navalized VAMPIRE (Vehicle Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment) counter-drone system, designed to provide maritime platforms with a flexible and rapidly deployable defense against small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS). Originally fielded for land operations in Ukraine under U.S. military assistance programs, the VAMPIRE system is now being adapted for shipboard use amid growing concerns over drone threats in littoral and open-sea environments.
From Land to Sea: Adapting VAMPIRE for Maritime Threats
The original land-based VAMPIRE system gained prominence in 2022 when it was selected by the U.S. Department of Defense to support Ukraine’s defense against Russian UAVs. The system combines a four-round launcher for Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) rockets with an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor suite and a fire control module. It is designed to be vehicle-agnostic and rapidly deployable—qualities that have now been translated into a naval context.
The navalized version of VAMPIRE retains its core modularity but has been ruggedized and reconfigured for maritime environments. According to L3Harris representatives at Euronaval 2024 and subsequent briefings reported by Naval News, the shipborne variant can be mounted on various naval platforms including patrol boats, corvettes, and even auxiliary vessels. The compact footprint allows installation without major structural modifications—a key advantage for navies seeking cost-effective upgrades to their counter-UAS capabilities.
System Components and Capabilities
The Naval VAMPIRE comprises three primary subsystems:
- Launcher Module: A four-cell launcher designed to fire 70 mm APKWS II laser-guided rockets. These munitions offer low-cost precision engagement against Group 1–2 UAVs at ranges up to 5 km.
- EO/IR Sensor Suite: A stabilized gimbal-mounted sensor provides target acquisition, tracking, and laser designation capabilities under day/night conditions. L3Harris has not disclosed the exact model but emphasized multi-spectral functionality.
- Fire Control & C2 Interface: The system integrates with onboard combat management systems or operates stand-alone via a dedicated console. It features automated tracking algorithms and manual override options.
This configuration enables rapid detection-to-engagement cycles against Class I/II drones often used for ISR or kamikaze roles in asymmetric maritime conflicts. The use of APKWS also leverages existing NATO-standard rocket inventories while minimizing collateral damage compared to larger caliber air defense weapons.
Operational Use Cases in Maritime Environments
The proliferation of commercial-grade drones repurposed for military use—especially by non-state actors—has created acute vulnerabilities for smaller naval vessels operating near coastlines or chokepoints. Incidents involving Iranian-made UAVs targeting oil tankers in the Gulf or Houthi drone attacks on Red Sea shipping have underscored this risk.
L3Harris positions Naval VAMPIRE as an affordable SHORAD (Short Range Air Defense) solution tailored for these scenarios. Potential mission profiles include:
- Force Protection: Defending anchored ships or port facilities from FPV or quadcopter threats.
- Littoral Patrol: Equipping fast attack craft or patrol boats with autonomous C-UAS capability during interdiction missions.
- Escort Operations: Providing layered drone defense during convoy escort tasks where larger air defense systems are unavailable.
The modularity also allows quick swap-out or upgrade of components such as sensors or launchers based on evolving threat profiles—a critical feature given the rapid innovation cycles in commercial drone technology.
Differentiators vs Competing Systems
The Naval VAMPIRE enters a growing market segment populated by both kinetic and non-kinetic C-UAS solutions such as Rheinmetall’s Skyranger 30 (with programmable airburst), Leonardo’s Lionfish gun systems with radar cueing, or directed energy options like Lockheed Martin’s HELIOS laser demonstrator aboard USN destroyers.
L3Harris’ approach emphasizes affordability, ease of integration, and leveraging existing munitions stockpiles rather than introducing entirely new weapons architectures. Key differentiators include:
- Palletized Modularity: Enables rapid deployment on non-traditional platforms including civilian-converted vessels or expeditionary craft.
- No Radar Dependency: Unlike radar-cued gun systems vulnerable to EW spoofing/jamming, EO/IR-based targeting offers passive detection immune to RF interference.
- COTS Munition Base: Uses widely available APKWS II rockets already fielded across NATO forces—simplifying logistics chains.
This makes Naval VAMPIRE particularly appealing for allied navies with constrained budgets seeking plug-and-play counter-drone capabilities without extensive shipyard refits or proprietary munitions pipelines.
Status of Development and Future Outlook
L3Harris has confirmed that prototype testing aboard small surface combatants began in Q4 FY2024 under internal R&D funding. While no formal U.S. Navy program-of-record exists yet for the maritime variant, company officials indicated interest from multiple foreign militaries operating OPVs (Offshore Patrol Vessels) in high-risk zones like Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
A potential path forward could involve Foreign Military Sales (FMS) channels similar to how ground-based VAMPIRE units were delivered to Ukraine via USAI funding mechanisms starting late 2022. Additionally, integration trials with NATO navies are reportedly being explored through cooperative R&D frameworks such as DIANA (NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator).
If adopted at scale, Naval VAMPIRE could fill a critical niche between soft-kill jammers—which often fail against autonomous drones—and high-end missile systems that are overkill against $500 quadcopters but too costly per shot ratio-wise.
Tactical Implications Amid Rising Drone Threats at Sea
The emergence of swarming FPV drones launched from fishing vessels or shorelines poses new challenges even for blue-water navies traditionally focused on peer adversaries. As demonstrated during exercises like REPMUS-23 off Portugal’s coast—where simulated drone attacks overwhelmed traditional CIWS—the need for scalable point-defense solutions is urgent.
L3Harris’ Naval VAMPIRE offers one such option by combining proven land-based components into a shipboard package suitable for distributed maritime operations under budget constraints. Its success will likely depend on demonstration results over FY2025–26 and whether procurement agencies prioritize kinetic C-UAS layers within broader force protection doctrines at sea.
