The US Army awarded L3Harris a $106m contract for Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletised ISR Rocket Equipment (VAMPIRE) counter-uncrewed systems (c-UxS).
L3Harris said that the order is part of the US’ layered approach to defence against hostile drones, supporting what has been described as an “urgent defence” need.
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VAMPIRE, developed by L3Harris, is designed as a portable, multi-mission precision-guided weapons platform intended for use against drones and remotely piloted aircraft.
The self-contained system can be installed on a variety of tactical and non-tactical vehicles with a flat surface, and aims to provide reconnaissance as well as strike capabilities.
Military forces have deployed VAMPIRE technology in European combat operations, where it has accumulated more than 350,000 operational hours since 2023, according to the company.
L3Harris targeting & sensor systems, communications & spectrum dominance president Tom Kirkland said: “We’ve worked with the US Army to understand their needs for new counter-UxS systems that can be quickly assembled, delivered, set-up and fired.”
L3Harris started VAMPIRE programme at the onset of the war in Ukraine, with the company seeking to provide a cost-effective method to address Russian drone activity.
Production of the VAMPIRE system increased in 2026, with high-volume manufacturing initiated at the company’s facility in Huntsville, Alabama.
This escalation in output was described as a response to the growing demand from the US and allied nations for counter-drone solutions.
In June 2025, L3Harris received an additional contract from the US Department of War for the delivery of more VAMPIRE units.
The company also integrated the VAMPIRE system with GM Defense’s Infantry Squad Vehicle in October of the previous year, with the aim of enhancing tactical mobility and protection against small drone threats for the US Army.
