A Russian suicide drone was shot down by a laser-guided defense system supplied by the United States to Ukraine. Everything suggests that it is a Vampire rocket launcher.
The Ukrainian military has for the first time released images of the Vampire anti-aircraft system, transferred by the United States last year. In a video shared on February 11, 2024 by the armed forces, a Russian kamikaze drone, identified as a Shahed-136, is destroyed by a laser-guided rocket, an advanced precision weapon system. The action takes place in the Odessa region.
The anti-aircraft system itself is not mentioned in the message, but the rather unusual targeting with a laser beam and a specific interface suggest the use of a Vampire system.
A “low-cost” anti-aircraft defense more suited to drones
This rocket launcher is an innovation from the American company L3Harris which stands out for its portability. The launcher as well as the reconnaissance devices can be placed on a vehicle for rapid deployment.
Compared to other anti-drone solutions such as surface-to-air missile batteries, the Vampire stands out for its affordable price, simplicity of assembly and a “low-cost” system more suited to small and medium-sized drones. which regularly target Ukrainian cities.
Laser guidance integration improves the ability to precisely strike enemy drones, allowing special forces and light units to quickly engage targets beyond the range of conventional weapons. By the end of last year, the United States had delivered 14 units of the Vampire system, strengthening Ukraine’s defense against air attacks.
If you liked this article, you will like the following: don’t miss them by subscribing to Numerama on Google News.