L3Harris Technologies has delivered the VC-25B Bridge aircraft to the U.S. Air Force, marking a significant milestone in the modernization of the Air Force One fleet. The delivery ensures continuity of the Presidential Airlift mission as the current VC-25A aircraft age and next-generation aircraft remain under development. This rapid deployment provides the Office of the President with an airborne command post equipped with a new communications system that enables resilient, secure connectivity to respond to global events without disruption.

The company transformed a 747-8i aircraft into the first VC-25B within 10 months. To meet this accelerated timeline, the team operated across three shifts with around-the-clock operations. This delivery reflects L3Harris’ decision to invest early in the program ahead of formal demand to ensure capacity, talent, and production readiness were in place when needed.

"Through a trusted, fast-tracked partnership with the Air Force, we have proven that the U.S. defense industrial base can move at maximum velocity when the mission demands it," said Christopher Kubasik, Chairman and CEO, L3Harris. "L3Harris rose to the challenge, and we are deeply honored to deliver to the Commander-in-Chief a symbol of American strength that meets the nation’s highest standards without compromise."

Key Program Details

As a global leader in aerospace integration and aircraft missionization, L3Harris delivers high-performance, integrated solutions for head-of-state transport and VIP aircraft worldwide. The company equips national leaders with actionable intelligence, secure communications, and advanced protection systems to support no-fail missions.

L3Harris Technologies has secured a contract worth up to $106 million from the U.S. Army to deliver VAMPIRE counter-unmanned systems (c-UxS). The systems are intended to support urgent defense requirements against hostile drones as part of the United States' layered defense approach. This order underscores the growing necessity for affordable and rapidly deployable solutions to protect personnel and infrastructure from aerial threats.

The VAMPIRE system functions as a self-contained weapons solution, delivering advanced reconnaissance and precision strike capabilities against drones and remotely piloted aircraft. Military forces have deployed this technology extensively in European combat operations, accumulating over 350,000 operational hours since 2023. The system was initially developed and invested in by L3Harris at the onset of the war in Ukraine to provide a low-cost method for eliminating Russian drone threats.

Production and Operational Capabilities

In 2026, L3Harris ramped up production of the VAMPIRE system, initiating high-volume manufacturing in Huntsville, Alabama. This production expansion is a direct response to the persistent drone threat faced by the United States and its allies. The system is designed for rapid assembly, delivery, setup, and firing, enabling armed forces to maintain a reliable defense posture.

Tom Kirkland, President of Targeting & Sensor Systems within Communications & Spectrum Dominance at L3Harris, emphasized the system's operational value. He stated that the company collaborated closely with the Army to understand requirements for new counter-UxS systems. Kirkland noted that VAMPIRE is effective at hunting and engaging drone threats affordably, which allows U.S. armed forces to sustain the defense of its personnel and infrastructure.

Contract Overview