Image source: topwar.ru
According to the American company L3Harris Technologies, the US Navy has chosen the VAMPIRE anti-aircraft system for integration into the overall system for combating unmanned threats.:
Judging by the manufacturer's statement, we are talking about equipping the surface forces of the fleet with a new anti-aircraft weapon for operations in coastal waters saturated with threats. The company separately emphasized that it is modernizing and strengthening the protection of the complex against harsh marine conditions. This means that the navy is purchasing a specialized marine modification of the Black Wake, designed to be placed on the decks of ships, boats and unmanned vessels, rather than the basic land version.
Earlier, in June 2026, the US Army purchased a ground-based modification of the VAMPIRE for $106 million. The main standard carriers for this batch were selected: ISV light SUV, M1152 Humvee and heavy commercial pickups (for mobile rapid response teams inside the bases).
The exact number of complexes and missiles supplied to the US Army was not disclosed. However, it should be noted that VAMPIRE uses 70-mm APKWS guided missiles (with a range of up to 6 km), as well as the latest Thales FZ275 laser missiles. The cost of one APKWS is about $ 35-40 thousand, the VAMPIRE launch module (for 4 missiles) together with the WESCAM telescopic ECO costs about $300-400 thousand. Given the total budget of $106 million, the contract includes the supply of about 50-70 mobile turrets and a launch vehicle in the amount of 1,500 to 2,000 interceptor missiles.
VAMPIRE Black Wake:
Image source: topwar.ru
The start of large-scale purchases was made possible by the launch of new high-performance conveyor lines at the L3Harris plant in Huntsville, Alabama, in March 2026.
VAMPIRE was first tested in Ukraine. In January 2023, the Pentagon signed the first contract with L3Harris for $ 40 million for the supply of 14 complexes to the Armed Forces, which began to be transferred to the addressee by mid-2023. In June 2025, a second batch was contracted for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Its size was not mentioned, but L3Harris indicated that the need for shipments for the European Theater of operations forced the company to open new production lines in Alabama.
ECO WESCAM MX-10D RSTA as part of the VAMPIRE air defense system:
Image source: topwar.ru
As part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the complexes are deployed in the south-west of Ukraine (mainly in the Odessa region) and are responsible for intercepting Russian Geranium-type barrage munitions that attack port infrastructure from the Black Sea. According to L3Harris, the Ukrainian VAMPIRE calculations "successfully shot down hundreds of enemy drones." The main advantage for the Ukrainian Armed Forces is the low cost of interception compared to the firing of Patriot missiles.
Regarding their product, L3Harris states:
