Contracts · Counter-UAS

L3Harris says first Army VAMPIRE counter-drone units arrived within two months of order

The Army order L3Harris announced in June is worth up to $106 million. The company hasn't said how many systems arrived, on what date, where or under which contract.

October 13, 2026

L3Harris said Tuesday, Oct. 13, that initial deliveries of its VAMPIRE counter-drone systems to the Army arrived within two months of the service's order.¹ That timing is the new part: the company's Sept. 8 release announcing that the Navy had selected it to deliver VAMPIRE already said L3Harris was also delivering VAMPIRE systems to the Army.⁴ L3Harris announced the Army order, worth up to $106 million, on Wednesday, June 10, saying the service had selected it to deliver VAMPIRE "to support urgent defense against hostile drones."²

L3Harris says first Army VAMPIRE units arrived within two months of order

VAMPIRE counter-drone systems for the U.S. Army, per L3Harris releases of June 10 and Oct. 13, 2026

within two monthsfrom the Army's order to initial deliveries, L3Harris says

up to $106Mvalue of the Army order L3Harris announced June 10

Not disclosedhow many systems arrived, on what date, where or under which contract

The $106 million is an up-to value for the whole order.

Source: L3Harris press releases, June 10 and Oct. 13, 2026. Data as of Oct. 13, 2026.

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The Army is buying a system already in wartime use. L3Harris developed VAMPIRE at the start of the war in Ukraine to counter Russian drones, and says military forces have logged more than 350,000 operational hours with it in European combat operations since 2023.^1–2 This year the company set up a dedicated VAMPIRE production facility in Huntsville, Ala., and said in March it had initiated high-volume production there.^{1, 3}

VAMPIRE, short for Vehicle Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment, is a self-contained kit that mounts on commercial flatbeds or light tactical vehicles without permanent alterations. It fires 70mm Hydra-70 rockets that the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System turns into laser-guided munitions, and L3Harris adapted that system for drones with a proximity fuze. The company says this "significantly reduces the cost-per-engagement" compared with using high-end interceptors against relatively low-cost one-way attack drones.⁵

L3Harris says its Huntsville line can adjust and increase volume as demand evolves.³ The Navy selection is the next marker: L3Harris announced it without a value or quantity, so a Navy award record would show its size.⁴

Sources (5)

L3Harris: L3Harris Delivers First VAMPIRE Units to US Army for Drone Defense (Oct. 13, 2026) www.l3harris.com
L3Harris: L3Harris Delivering Counter-Drone Systems to US Army (June 10, 2026) www.l3harris.com
L3Harris: L3Harris Ramps Up Production for Counter-Unmanned Systems (March 24, 2026) www.l3harris.com
L3Harris: L3Harris Delivering Counter-Drone Systems to US Navy (Sept. 8, 2026) www.l3harris.com
L3Harris: VAMPIRE www.l3harris.com

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Archive photograph · An Electronic Advanced Ground Launcher System (EAGLS) counter-UAS fires an Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) Hydra 70 rocket during an Exercise Sky Shield live-fire event in Kuwait, Dec. 4, 2025. Joseph Kumzak / DVIDS Taken 2025-12-04. public-domain; reuse terms. The appearance of U.S. Department of War (DoW) visual information does not imply or constitute DoW endorsement.

State Department approves possible $100 million APKWS II rocket sale to Jordan

The estimated $100 million package names BAE Systems as principal contractor and includes up to 1,500 APKWS II rounds or guidance sections, launchers, warheads and support.

November 3, 2026

The State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Jordan of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) II guided rockets and related equipment, at an estimated total cost of $100 million. The congressional notification is dated November 2, 2026.¹

The State Department made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Jordan for APKWS II

November 2, 2026

Estimated total cost$100 millioncontingent

possible Foreign Military Sale to Jordan for APKWS II and related equipment

all-up-rounds or guidance sectionsup to 1,500requested

WGU-59A/B or B/B Single Variant Block Upgrade APKWS II

The principal contractor will be BAE Systems, Inc.

Source: U.S. Department of State. As of November 2, 2026.

Sources

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BAE Systems, Inc., of Nashua, New Hampshire, would be the principal contractor. The estimate covers the whole proposed package; the notification announces no contract award and gives no delivery schedule.¹

Jordan requested up to 1,500 WGU-59A/B or B/B Single Variant Block Upgrade all-up rounds or guidance sections, usable in air-to-air, ground-to-air or air-to-ground roles. The proposed package also includes launchers, Mk-152 high explosive warheads, MK66 rocket motors, proximity fuzes, practice warheads, inert rocket motors and support equipment. Engineering, technical, training and logistics support are included.¹

The State Department expects the additional APKWS II guided rockets to enhance Jordan's air defense capability in support of the Middle East Air Defense pillar of the Regional Security Construct. It also expects the acquisition to allow a reduction in sustained U.S. support over time.¹

Sources (1)

State Department, Jordan – Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) II, Transmittal #26-95, November 2, 2026 www.state.gov

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Contracts · Munitions

BAE signs framework for up to 25,000 APKWS guidance sections a year

A Department of War framework outlines procurement of up to 25,000 guidance sections annually for up to seven years, pending congressional authorization and appropriations.

October 19, 2026

The Department of War announced a framework agreement with BAE Systems on Oct. 19 to expand production of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS). It outlines procurement of up to 25,000 guidance sections a year for up to seven years, pending congressional authorization and appropriations.¹

BAE says it will increase production while negotiating a multi-year contract

Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS)

Procurementup to 25,000 APKWS guidance sections annuallycontingent

for up to seven years, pending congressional authorization and appropriations

Pathway to surge outputup to 35,000 units annually for international alliescontingent

This industrial expansion will be unlocked as partner nations formalize orders via Foreign Military Sales Letters of Request.

Sources: Department of War; BAE Systems via PR Newswire. As of Oct. 19, 2026.

Sources

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BAE says it will increase production while negotiating a multi-year contract within the framework.² Neither release gives a dollar value, obligated amount, current output or a date for reaching 25,000 or 35,000 units a year.^1–2

The department also describes a pathway to increase output to as many as 35,000 units annually for international allies. It says that expansion will be unlocked as partner nations formalize orders through Foreign Military Sales Letters of Request.¹ BAE describes the agreement as increasing production capacity to as many as 35,000 kits a year.²

The laser-guidance kits turn unguided 2.75-inch rockets into precision-guided munitions. BAE says they are used against a range of threats, including in the counter-unmanned aircraft systems mission. The company produces the kits in Hudson, New Hampshire, and Austin, Texas.²

The department says the framework provides the sustained demand signal BAE needs to buy long-lead items and expand its skilled workforce.¹ BAE says it has already invested in manufacturing capacity, materials and expertise, though the release gives no amount.²

Sources (2)

Department of War: Framework agreement with BAE Systems to surge counter-drone production www.war.gov
BAE Systems: long-term agreement to increase APKWS production (PR Newswire) www.prnewswire.com

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