L3Harris wins $106 million order for US Army counter-drone systems
L3Harris Technologies secured a $106 million contract from the U.S. Army for VAMPIRE counter-unmanned systems to address urgent defense needs against hostile drones. The system, developed for low-cost threat elimination, has logged over 350,000 operational hours in European combat operations since 2023. Production has ramped up in Huntsville, Alabama to meet demand.
*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
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
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Customer | U.S. Army |
| Contractor | L3Harris Technologies |
| System | VAMPIRE c-UxS |
| Contract Value | Up to $106 million |
| Operational Hours | Over 350,000 since 2023 |
| Production Location | Huntsville, Alabama |
How will the U.S. Army integrate the VAMPIRE system into its existing layered defense architecture alongside other counter-drone technologies?
What is the expected timeline for the delivery of the $106 million order, and will it require further production scaling in Huntsville?
Could this contract signal a shift in U.S. defense procurement strategy toward prioritizing cost-effective, commercial-off-the-shelf solutions over traditional high-cost systems?
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