VAMPIRE (weapon)

The VAMPIRE is a portable kit and can be installed on a wide variety of vehicles with a cargo bed or fixed position. The base VAMPIRE system consists of a four-round launcher LAND-LGR4 launcher for 70mm laser-guided rockets, primarily the APKWS II, electro-optical/infrared modular sensor ball such as WESCAM MX-RSTA, and a laser designator elevated on a telescoping mast as well as a self-contained power supply and a control system. Later varients use Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning algorithms from Shield AI that allows detection and identification of drones from a greater distance. The AI integration makes the VAMPIRE capable of targetting UAVs from Groups 1 to 3, even small targets such as FPV drones. ==Operational history==

2022 Russo-Ukrainian war Several systems were supplied to Ukraine in 2022 as part of a USD 3 billion aid package by the US. Ukrainian VAMPIRE systems use both the APKWS II and Thales 70-mm FZ275 LGR rocket with an FZ123 warhead. == Variants ==

• VAMPIRE Stalker XR: Enlarged launcher with 12 missiles. • VAMPIRE CASKET (Containerized Anti-drone System with Kinetic Effects Turret): Containerized version. • VAMPIRE BAT (Base Anti-drone Turret): Static turret with a missile launcher replaced with a machine gun. High-power microwave (HPM) directed-energy weapon option under development. • VAMPIRE Black Wake: Variant mounted aboard uncrewed surface vessels. • VAMPIRE Dead Wing: Variant for attack helicopters such as the Apache. • VAMPIRE Killcode: Variant that replaces kinetic weapons with an electronic warfare system. ==References==