Defence firm L3Harris has launched a new marine-based variant of its Vampire counter-drone rocket and missile system.
The self-contained effector can be mounted on a range of platforms and can fire either unguided Hydra 70 rockets or Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) missiles — which are the same projectiles converted into precision-guided munitions with the addition of a laser guidance module.
As per an L3Harris press statement, the new Vampire variants demonstrate “the company’s ability to swiftly respond to the U.S. Department of War and allied partners’ urgent need to defeat small unmanned autonomous systems accurately and affordably.”
It said the original Vampire CUAS system has been used in European combat operations since 2023, including in the Ukraine conflict. It works on a proximity fuse and can be deployed against targets up to almost four miles away.
As well as the maritime variant, dubbed “Black Wake” there are other Vampire versions adapted for land, air and electronic warfare operations. The firm’s website notes: “The maritime system reduces the cost curve against small drones or fast attack watercraft and can be used aboard crewed or uncrewed vessels.”
The firm’s President of Integrated Mission Systems Jon Rambeau commented: “Vampire users have successfully shot down hundreds of enemy drones.”
He added: “Compared to traditional missile systems, Vampire greatly reduces the cost per effect to defend against drone attacks.”
Making up part of the company’s wider Counter-Unmanned Systems initiative, the Vampire system uses AI and machine learning to detect, engage and defeat a variety of small and uncrewed threats.
- You can read more details on the L3Harris website