00:00 Ukraine's troops are now using a US rocket system known as the Vampire to destroy Russian
00:11 drones.
00:12 The Pentagon's Acquisition and Sustainment Office released a statement and announced
00:18 that the initial Vampire systems have been delivered and are in operation by Ukrainian
00:23 armed forces.
00:24 Produced by L3 Harris Technologies Inc, the weapons are carried on trucks and allow Ukraine
00:31 to defeat Russian strikes.
00:33 Four of the first 14 systems put on contact in January under a US$40 million deal arrived
00:40 in Ukraine mid-year, according to a company newsletter to investors, with the rest to
00:45 come by year-end.
00:46 Details on the timing of further deliveries haven't been disclosed.
00:51 So what is the Vampire weapons system?
00:55 The Vampire, an acronym for Vekhyl Agnostic Modular Palatizer's ISR rocket equipment,
01:03 is a versatile and portable kit designed to launch 70mm laser-guided rockets, including
01:10 the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS).
01:14 The system consists of a four-round rocket launcher that is seamlessly integrated with
01:20 an independent, stabilized sighting system.
01:23 It can be easily mounted on various types of vehicles with cargo beds or pickup trucks,
01:29 and it can also be installed in a fixed position when needed.
01:33 The manufacturer of Vampire highlights its capabilities not only in targeting and neutralizing
01:40 enemy drones, but also its ability to defend against ground-based threats.
01:45 The weapon system is versatile and can be employed to engage and counter potential adversaries
01:52 on the ground.
01:53 Vampires can engage airborne targets at a range of about 5 km.
01:58 The Vampire system is manufactured by L3Harris Technologies, a US defense contractor.
02:04 As of the January announcement, the US Department of Defense awarded L3Harris Technologies a
02:12 $40 million contract to supply 14 Vampires weapon systems to the forces of Thieves.
02:20 In addition to the cost of the Vampire system itself, the weapon's effectiveness is enhanced
02:25 by using APKWS rockets, which are essentially 70mm unguided hydro-rockets converted into
02:34 laser-guided munitions.
02:36 These APKWS rockets are considered relatively low-cost, with each rocket priced at approximately
02:43 $27,500.
02:44 The portable Vampire kit manufactured by L3Harris Technologies will equip Ukraine ground forces
02:53 with the capability of effectively target and neutralize enemy drones while also defending
02:59 against ground-based threats.
03:01 The systems ordered by the US Department of Defense (DOD) are specifically designed to
03:07 provide essential defense assets, empowering Ukraine to safeguard its civilian infrastructure
03:14 against potential attacks.
03:16 In April, the Pentagon said it is contracting for 10 mobile laser-guided anti-drone systems,
03:23 but it has not provided further details on those.
03:27 Unlike the bulk of US military aid to Ukraine, which comes from existing stocks, the Vampire
03:33 contract taps the defense industry directly under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.
03:54 (upbeat music)
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