HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — L3Harris Technologies announced on October 13, 2026, the commencement of initial deliveries of the VAMPIRE (Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment) counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) to the U.S. Army.
Delivered within two months of an Army contract award valued at up to $106 million, the self-contained palletized system gives frontline Army formations a rapidly deployable kinetic counter-drone layer. Manufactured at L3Harris’ dedicated C-UxS production facility in Huntsville, Alabama, VAMPIRE integrates an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor ball, L3Harris’ FAAD C2-compliant Widow mission-management software, and a 4-round launcher for 70 mm laser-guided rockets (e.g., AGR-20 APKWS). The architecture provides cost-effective engagement against Group 1–3 uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), leveraging proximity-fuzed warheads to establish favorable magazine exchange ratios while preserving high-tier air-defense interceptors for advanced cruise missiles and fixed-wing threats.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: L3HARRIS VAMPIRE (VEHICLE-AGNOSTIC C-UAS SUITE) 
* Prime Systems Developer & Manufacturer: L3Harris Technologies (Communications & Spectrum Dominance / Huntsville, AL Facility)
* Program Procurement & Contract Value: U.S. Army Rapid C-UAS Acquisition Framework ($106 Million Contract Ceiling)
* Operational Flight Hours & Pedigree: >350,000 operational combat hours logged in European theater operations since 2023
* System Architecture & Physical Profile:
* Deployment Concept: Vehicle-agnostic, two-person installable modular palletized kit (assembly time ~2 hours)
* Platform Integration: Commercial flatbed pickup trucks, light tactical wheeled vehicles (4×4/6×6), expeditionary trailers, and static perimeter posts
* Power Subsystem: Self-contained independent power supply / onboard battery power module
* Fire Control & Targeting Sensor Suite:
* Electro-Optical/Infrared Sensor: WESCAM MX-10D RSTA or MX-15D RSTA stabilized multi-sensor designator
* Targeting Functions: High-definition thermal/day TV tracking, laser rangefinder, and laser target designator (LTD)
* Effector Integration & Ordnance Payload:
* Launch System: 4-round SMART 70 mm (2.75 in) rocket launcher pod
* Primary Armament: BAE Systems AGR-20 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) 70 mm laser-guided rockets
* Lethality Mechanism: Proximity-fuzed point-detonation / pre-fragmentation warhead optimized for micro/mini-UAS destruction
* C4I Network Integration & Battle Management:
* Command & Control Architecture: L3Harris “Widow” C4ISR mission-management software
* Network Interoperability: Native FAAD C2 (Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control) compliance enabling real-time remote sensor data ingestion, external radar cueing, and C-JADC2 integration
