Posted in Beijing 2023-12-12 15:03.
According to the official website of L3Harris on December 11**, L3Harris completed the installation and delivery of the Vampire Multi-Purpose Rocket Equipment (VAMPIRE) multi-purpose system to the U.S. Department of Defense on time to support Ukraine's defense efforts.
The U.S. Navy is on track to complete deliveries to Ukraine this month of the new anti-drone system** system, developed by L3Harris, as part of the aid package.
In order to meet the urgent needs of Ukraine's wartime support, the Emergency Operations Team (PMA-242) of the Office of Direct and Time-Sensitive Strike Planning began working to provide a rocket launch platform, the Universal Modular Pallet ISR Rocket Equipment (VAMPIRE) system.
Early customers reported that Vampire was already having a positive impact in Ukraine due to the U.S. Navy's ability to respond with 'unprecedented speed and agility,'" said Jason Lambert, president of L3Harris' intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance division. ”
The Pentagon previously confirmed that Vampire was put into service in Ukraine in August.
L3Harris is the prime contractor for the Vampire system, which consists of three main components. These are a four-wheeled LAND-LGR 470mm turret launcher, sensor turret, and fire control system equipped with a laser-guided Advanced Precision Kill** II (APKWSII) rocket. The Vampire is also designed to be easily integrated into any suitably sized vehicle.
The Ukrainian Vampire was integrated into the M1152A1 Humvee. The M1152A1 is a two-door upper armoured Humvee type with a pickup truck-style rear end. The turret Land-LGR4 launcher is mounted on the aft bed. The system's sensor turret appears to be mounted on top of the cab.
The Vampire System is a compact pallet rocket launch platform that integrates sensor balls and a four-shot Advanced Precision Kill** System (APKWS) launcher designed to be mounted on a flatbed truck. The Vampire system is traditionally used by the U.S. Navy and Army against air-to-ground targets. The system introduces laser-guided rockets capable of effectively countering the threat of UAVs.
Commander Kevin Raspet, deputy project manager for foreign military sales of PMA-242, emphasized that the team delivered the first four systems quickly within six months through an innovative contracting strategy and efforts to match the rapid pace of system development.
The PMA-242 Emergency Operations Case Manager, Robert Galan, emphasized that the team's focus is on expediting deliveries to warfighters, utilizing different contracting agencies to streamline processes and ensure that systems are built and deployed to operate efficiently.
Upcoming deliveries will include the first APKWS equipped with a proximity fuse warhead, a key technology that enables APKWS to target Group 2 and Group 3 UAVs by incorporating RF sensors to enhance C-UAS mission capabilities.
Captain Alex Dutko, PMA-242 project manager, noted that the system has a direct impact on the ongoing wartime work in Ukraine, illustrating the team's rapid response and agility in addressing urgent needs.
PMA-242 is dedicated to supporting Ukrainian ground forces and is designed to provide 14 Vampire systems that will allow them to effectively target and suppress drones while strengthening defenses against ground threats.
In addition to efforts to ship the Vampire system to Ukraine, N**Air's PMA-242 has been working with defense contractor BAESYSTEMS to develop a new proximity fuse warhead for use with APKWSII, which is optimized primarily for lower-level UAVs. One of the main advantages of the APKWSII design is the ability of the laser guidance kit to be easily combined with any of the various standardized warheads.
The US Navy expects that the first batch of anti-drone melee warheads will soon be available to the US military, which will include radio frequency sensors and will be able to attack targets in a point-detonation mode.