Ukraine-Bound VAMPIRE Anti-Drone Systems to Have EOS Gimbals

L3Harris has selected EOS Defense Systems USA to supply gimbals for the Ukraine-bound Vehicle Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment (VAMPIRE) counter-drone systems.

The US subsidiary of Electro Optic Systems will supply the EOS AS-65 gimbal as the positioning component for the counter-drone system.

The Pentagon has contracted L3Harris to supply 14 VAMPIREs for Ukraine. 

The suitcase-like VAMPIRE launcher and designator kit can be mounted on a range of vehicles, such as a standard civilian truck, against a range of land and air targets.

Initially developed for the R150 Remote Weapon Station, the lightweight AS-65 enables a weapon system to precisely aim and strike at an array of ground-to-air or ground-to-ground targets such as missiles, rockets, and drones.

Apart from the AS-65, the VAMPIRE features the laser-guided Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System capable of tracking and striking targets up to Group 3 UAS threats.

Integration and support operations for the AS-65 will be provided at the company’s Alabama headquarters. 

The AS-65 will be the second EOS equipment sent to Ukraine after the 40 R400 remote weapon stations fitted to Bushmaster armored vehicles sent by Australia.