L3Harris’ Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment (VAMPIRE) is a portable kit that can be installed on most vehicles with a cargo bed for the launching of the advanced precision kill weapons system (APKWS) or other laser-guided munitions. This L3Harris suitcase-type APKWS launcher and designator kit provides a rapid solution for arming non-tactical vehicles (NTV) and a variety of tactical vehicles while integrating components to customer-specific specifications. The company capability provides ground forces the ability to engage targets beyond the range of weapons normally carried by SOF and light forces.
The AGR-20 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) is a design conversion of Hydra 70 unguided rockets with a laser guidance kit to turn them into precision-guided munitions (PGMs). APKWS is approximately one-third the cost and one-third the weight of the current inventory of laser-guided weapons have a lower yield more suitable for avoiding collateral damage and takes one-quarter of the time for ordnance personnel to load and unload. The winning bidder for the APKWS II contract was the team of BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman, and General Dynamics, beating out the offerings from Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Systems.
The APKWS II uses the Distributed Aperture Semi-Active Laser Seeker (DASALS) technology. This system allows a laser seeker to be located on the leading edge of each of the forward control canards, working in unison as if they were a single seeker. This configuration allows existing warheads from the Hydra 70 system to be used without the need for a laser seeker in the missile nose. An APKWS-equipped rocket was fitted with a proximity fuze and destroyed a Class 2 UAS. The proximity fuze enables it to intercept UAS at a lower cost than other methods, and due to the rocket’s laser guidance that activates on launch, it does not require locking on to the target before launch.
VAMPIRE is designed to complement the low-cost, low-signature, and availability of common NTVs and fit in any pickup or vehicle with a cargo bed. Installation can be completed in approximately two hours by two people using common tools. The portable kit can be configured to meet customer-specific requirements. The power supply eliminates the need for a 24-volt alternator on the vehicle. The WESCAM MX-10™- RSTA independent stabilized sighting system provides ISR overmatch. Can be equipped with APKWS or other laser-guided munitions.
