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Vampire / APKWS (Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System)

APKWS (Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System) is a project of BAE Systems. It converts 70mm Hydra 70 rockets into precision projectiles. High accuracy of hits is achieved thanks to laser guidance. These missiles are equally effective for shooting down Russian UAVs "Lancet", as well as for destroying the firing points of the occupiers.

The Pentagon announced the supply of these missile systems to Ukraine in a security assistance package presented on 24 August 2022. And in January 2023, Germany handed over 20 units of APKWS mobile rocket launchers to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Rocket launchers were installed on pickup trucks. At the end of April 2023, it became known that it became public knowledge that one of the newly formed heavy infantry brigades received American APKWS missiles , which are guided by a laser beam.

Soldiers of the 37th Marine Brigade and the Buzky Gard unit demonstrated the APKWS rocket launch vehicle. A video of the units’ operation was published on social media 07 May 2023. It recorded launches of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System rockets from the Arnold Defense LAND-LGR4 launcher on a M1152A1 HMMWV chassis. The APKWS launcher has a module for launching 4 rockets. After firing, the missile, which is adjusted during the flight, hits the target, which is located in the building. APKWS missiles are so highly accurate that they can hit small surveillance stations mounted on tripods. The shots of the destroyed targets include the mast of a mobile surveillance system, which indicates the high accuracy of guided rockets.

The VAMPIRE (Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Isolated ISR Rocket Equipment) missile system was created based on this rocket. Its integrator is L3Harris Technologies. VAMPIRE can be mounted on a variety of transport platforms, namely, on passenger SUVs. Its target range is up to 5,000 meters. The allies supplied VAMPIRE systems with APKWS missiles to counter drones. They can be used as short-range air defense systems. APKWS can hit aerial targets, which turns it into a short-range SAM when used in the VAMPIRE kit.

These missiles consist of three main components of the warhead, the rocket motor and the guidance section, which is inserted between the other two parts. Thus, they can be equipped with different types of warheads, just like standard 70mm unguided rockets, which speaks of their versatility. On the footage, apparently, Ukrainian soldiers use high-explosive ammunition. Another unpleasant surprise for the enemy is that the APKWS II is a high-precision guided missile. The footage shows multiple hits on the relatively small windows of several houses, as well as an object hit, possibly a domed antenna on top of a towering mast.

Such accuracy is achieved through active "illumination" of the target by hand-held laser pointers, or, at a greater distance, by mast designators of VAMPIRE systems, which were also supplied by the United States as military assistance.

The United States committed to providing the Vampire system, a laser-guided missile launcher. It is a portable weapon that can be mounted on most pickup-truck beds, even on nontactical vehicles. According to its U.S. manufacturer, the system is relatively small and can be installed within two hours by two people. Only one person is needed for operation.

L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) announced 03 February 2023 receiving a $40 million Department of Defense contract to deliver 14 Vehicle Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment -- or VAMPIRE™ multi-purpose weapons system - to strengthen Ukrainian security defense efforts.

The portable VAMPIRE kit will allow Ukraine ground forces to target and shoot down enemy drones and defend against adversary ground threats. The systems ordered by DoD are tailored to provide critical defense assets to help Ukraine protect against attacks on civilian infrastructure.

“We’ve invested in procurement, testing and certification since August so VAMPIRE production can begin without delay,” said Luke Savoie, President, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, L3Harris. “We’re committed to supporting a U.S. strategic partner with a robust capability, as the people of Ukraine continue to defend their country and protect their independence.”

Under the DoD contract, L3Harris will install VAMPIRE kits on U.S. government-provided vehicles for agile combat support to the Ukrainian battlefield. The contract calls for L3Harris to deliver 14 VAMPIRE systems to DoD, with four delivered by mid-2023 and ten more delivered by the end of 2023.

The VAMPIRE prototype, submitted to DoD in April 2022, was selected in August as part of DoD’s $3 billion security assistance package under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. The company began field testing in 2021 and continued range and durability tests in summer 2022.

The VAMPIRE’s mission management system integrates an advanced WESCAM MX-10 RSTA targeting sensor with its weapons station, allowing an operator to quickly and accurately engage targets. The low-cost, highly accurate Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System rocket, selected specifically for use in Ukraine, provides increased lethality for engaging small or soft targets when combined with L3Harris’ proximity fuze.

L3Harris Technologies is a trusted disruptor for the global aerospace and defense industry. With customers’ mission-critical needs in mind, the 46,000 employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains.