US Navy expects to complete delivery of VAMPIRE CUAS to Ukraine this month
VAMPIRE CUAS will be delivered to Ukraine. (Photo: US Navy)
As the Ukraine continues to battle against Russia’s use of UAS in a range of sizes, the VAMPIRE CUAS will be used against higher-tier UAVs with the inclusion of a fuzed warhead.
The US Navy (USN) has said that it expects to deliver the last of the L3Harris Vehicle Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment (VAMPIRE) CUAS to Ukraine this month and the first-ever Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) with proximity fuze warheads for use with the system.
The system and warheads will be provided as part of a DoD aid package with the support of the Direct and Time Sensitive Strike programme office (PMA-242). The proximity fuze incorporates an RF sensor that enables APKWS to target Group 2 and Group 3 UAVs.
The USN and army have traditionally used APKWS against air-to-ground targets and with VAMPIRE, the laser-guided rocket can defend against uncrewed aerial threats.
Fourteen systems are being delivered by PMA 242 and the first four systems were delivered in the space of six months.
PMA 242 officials said the fast delivery of the system was done with the use of ‘innovative contracting strategies’ and ‘early reports indicate the weapon system is having an immediate impact in the ongoing Ukrainian wartime effort’.
The system has been described by the company as a ‘suitcase-type APKWS launcher and designator kit [which] provides a rapid solution for arming non-tactical vehicles and a variety of tactical vehicles, while integrating components to customer-specific specifications’.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Germany signs multi-billion-dollar deals for 6x6 CAVS and GDELS Eagle vehicles]()
Germany signs multi-billion-dollar deals for 6x6 CAVS and GDELS Eagle vehicles
The order is a further boost for the Common Armoured Vehicles System programme which has notched notable successes in the past 12 months. The first vehicle, made in Finland, will be delivered next year with local production expected to ramp up in 2027.
-
![Rheinmetall and KNDS tank tie-up narrows trans-European options]()
Rheinmetall and KNDS tank tie-up narrows trans-European options
The French and German governments signed an agreement in June 2018 to cooperate on the development of a new main battle tank under the Main Ground Combat System programme but the effort has struggled. This new agreement may damage it further.
-
![2025 land market review: British Army woes, European heavy armour and US MBT progress]()
2025 land market review: British Army woes, European heavy armour and US MBT progress
The last year has seen several major procurements in the land market. Shephard’s Dr Peter Magill reviews the main trends and themes in land procurement of 2025.
-
![Hungary set to begin using Hero 400 loitering munitions]()
Hungary set to begin using Hero 400 loitering munitions
Developed by Israel's Uvision and with systems being sold in the thousands to multiple European NATO countries and the US, the Hero family of loitering systems is also in production in the US and Italy, the latter through Rheinmetall.
-
![Croatia orders Leopards and CAESAR howitzers as Lithuania orders more CAESARs]()
Croatia orders Leopards and CAESAR howitzers as Lithuania orders more CAESARs
The Leopard is becoming the tank of choice in central and eastern Europe as Croatia joins Lithuania, the Czech Republic and Hungary in ordering the platform. Lithuania and Croatia have also signed for CAESAR howitzers.
-
![Light Reconnaissance Strike – enabling a vital mission set (Studio)]()
Light Reconnaissance Strike – enabling a vital mission set (Studio)
A new system-of-systems concept will unlock digital integration of sensors and weapons for Light Forces, allowing them to shape the battlefield environment on their own terms and upgrade legacy platforms.
