At Exercise Balikatan 2026, U.S. and allied forces evaluated L3Harris’ specialized and modular counter-unmanned systems (C-UxS) solution, VAMPIRE™, examining its effectiveness in simulated engagements. The event highlighted counter-drone capabilities as a core requirement for survival in contested environments including land, maritime and littoral spaces, with L3Harris’ Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment ( VAMPIRE) serving as a reputable, effective and combat-proven solution. Exercise Balikatan 2026 underscored the growing drone threat in the Indo-Pacific region and other environments. VAMPIRE is a portable kit that can be installed on most vehicles with a cargo bed for launching of APKWS or other laser-guided munitions. VAMPIRE serves as a complete and affordable solution for drone defense across bases, airfields, islands and critical infrastructure. As a part of a layered defense architecture, VAMPIRE integrates detection, identification and defeat capabilities to counter evolving threats in drone-heavy environments.
“One of the primary benefits of a system like VAMPIRE is the integration of highly effective and affordable munitions,” said Tom Kirkland, President, Targeting & Sensor Systems, Communications & Spectrum Dominance, L3Harris. “The sustainability and low-cost curve that a kinetic munition like APKWS provides to the end user is what allows VAMPIRE to set a new standard. It is what our customers are looking for as part of a greater, layered counter-UxS defense strategy.”
In early 2026, L3Harris initiated high-volume production of VAMPIRE at its manufacturing facility in Huntsville, Alabama. The new production line is a direct response to the United States and its allies’ need to combat the persistent drone threat posing risks to military personnel and infrastructure. VAMPIRE is an affordable, compact ISR and counter-unmanned weapons system designed to deploy on nearly any platform, vehicle or vessel. This all-in-one system excels in Counter-small Unmanned Airborne System (C-sUAS) operations, delivering precision strike capabilities with customizable sensors and weapons, significantly reducing the cost-per-effect and overall cost of ownership. Can be equipped with APKWS or other laser-guided munitions.
The WESCAM MX™-10D RSTA electro optical/infrared (EO/IR) stabilized targeting system mounted on VAMPIRE’s telescopic mast provides ISR overmatch with fully digital, high-definition extended-range ISR and laser target designation. VAMPIRE uses the Widow® Mission Management System, which is Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (FAADC2) compliant, and features a modular plug-in design for quick addition of sensors, effectors, radio management, navigation and moving maps. Modular and palletized, the VAMPIRE system offers a low-cost and effective weapon deployment solution. Building upon the success of the baseline VAMPIRE system, L3Harris has incorporated additional sensor capabilities, precision weapons, electronic jammers and non-kinetic effectors for use across several domains. The system uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to more swiftly detect, engage and defeat small and elusive unmanned threats.
