L3Harris Accelerates Production of VAMPIRE Anti-Drone System Following Successful Integration with GM Defense Infantry Vehicles

L3Harris accelerates production of its VAMPIRE counter-drone system after successful integration with GM Defense vehicles for mobile, low-cost precision strikes.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 30, 2026, 4:31 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Military - US firm boosts production of new systems that deliver precision strikes

A Rapid Response to the Growing Small Drone Threat

The modern battlefield is increasingly defined by the presence of small, hostile unmanned systems, prompting a shift toward more agile and affordable defense technologies. L3Harris Technologies is meeting this challenge by accelerating the production of its Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment, commonly known as VAMPIRE. This self-contained platform is designed to provide ground forces with advanced reconnaissance and precision-strike capabilities against remotely piloted aircraft. By streamlining the assembly and testing process at its Florida facility, L3Harris aims to deliver a high-volume, mobile solution that can be deployed quickly to protect personnel and critical infrastructure from evolving aerial threats.

Integrating Precision Strikes into Infantry Squad Vehicles

In a significant demonstration of tactical mobility, L3Harris recently installed the VAMPIRE system aboard a GM Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle, or ISV. This partnership showcases the seamless integration of next-generation weaponry into commercial-based military architectures. The ISV is specifically engineered for rapid deployment and robust off-road performance, making it an ideal host for a counter-unmanned system. According to Tom Kirkland, a vice president at L3Harris, this collaboration allows the U.S. Army and other customers to accurately defeat small autonomous systems while ensuring that ground units remain highly mobile and tactically versatile in the field.

The Versatility of Modular and Self Contained Defense Platforms

The core strength of the VAMPIRE system lies in its modularity and ease of installation. As an all-in-one platform, it can be mounted on nearly any vehicle, vessel, or containerized weapon system without requiring extensive modifications to the host. John ‘JD’ Johnson of GM Defense highlighted that the ISV’s commercial-based architecture is perfectly suited for incorporating these types of critical capabilities. This "plug-and-play" nature ensures that warfighters can receive immediate value and enhanced protection as new threats emerge. Because the system is entirely self-contained, it functions as a multi-mission tool capable of handling both airborne drones and traditional ground-based targets.