PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — May 15, 2026 : The U.S. Navy is preparing to extend sustainment and technical support for the VAMPIRE counter-drone systems currently operated by the Ukrainian Navy, according to a presolicitation notice issued on May 14, 2026, by the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD).
The notice outlines a planned sole-source contract modification with Sierra Nevada Corporation for repairs, maintenance, sustainment materials, and technical assistance supporting systems deployed in Eastern Europe under NATO coordination. The action is intended to maintain operational readiness of VAMPIRE systems used by Ukrainian naval forces in active combat conditions.
VAMPIRE System Developed for Rapid Deployment
The VAMPIRE system, short for Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment, was developed by L3Harris Technologies and supplied to Ukraine as part of a U.S. military assistance package announced in July 2022. In January 2023, the U.S. Department of Defense awarded a contract valued at approximately $40 million covering 14 systems, with deliveries completed by the end of 2023.
The platform combines a four-shot launcher with a WESCAM MX-10 RSTA targeting sensor capable of high-definition multi-spectral surveillance and laser designation. The system fires 70mm Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guided rockets originally designed for aircraft operations and later adapted for ground-launch counter-drone missions.
In Ukrainian service, the APKWS rockets have been fitted with proximity fuzes intended to improve effectiveness against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The system provides a mobile kinetic intercept capability designed to counter Russian drone and missile attacks targeting coastal infrastructure, naval facilities, and operational positions.
A defining feature of the VAMPIRE platform is its modular vehicle-agnostic configuration. The launcher package includes an independent power supply and can be mounted on commercial pickup trucks or flatbed vehicles in approximately two hours. This design has enabled Ukrainian forces to field the systems rapidly without relying on dedicated military vehicles or lengthy operator training requirements.
Operational Role Within Ukrainian Naval Defense
The Ukrainian Navy employs the VAMPIRE systems as part of a layered close-in air defense network protecting dispersed maritime and coastal assets. The systems are used to defend port infrastructure, naval facilities, and semi-fixed defensive positions that cannot always be covered by larger fixed air defense batteries.
The platform’s mobility and relatively simple logistics allow Ukrainian forces to reposition the systems quickly across wide operational areas while maintaining protection against persistent Russian long-range strike threats. The use of commercially adaptable vehicles also reduces dependence on specialized support infrastructure.
Sierra Nevada Corporation to Continue Sustainment Support
Under the planned contract modification, Sierra Nevada Corporation will provide engineers, maintenance technicians, field service representatives (FSRs), and remote reach-back technical support for deployed systems. Sustainment activities will take place both within the continental United States and at forward operating locations supporting Ukrainian naval operations.
The company previously received a contract worth nearly $15 million in September 2025 to provide counter-UAS maintenance and sustainment services for the Ukrainian Navy. SNC is also known for developing the Battery Revolving Adaptive Weapons Launcher (BRAWLR).
According to the NAWCAD notice, the Navy justified the sole-source action on the basis that SNC is the only responsible source capable of meeting the requirement within the “critical fleet timeline.” The notice cited the company’s secure facility access and detailed familiarity with the deployed system configurations as key factors supporting the decision.
Accelerated Acquisition Timeline
The presolicitation notice was issued for informational purposes and does not invite competitive proposals. The response deadline is scheduled for May 29, 2026, with an inactive date of June 13, 2026, indicating that the Navy intends to complete the contract modification on an accelerated schedule.
The timeline reflects the operational demands associated with sustaining military equipment in active combat environments, where spare parts consumption, maintenance requirements, and field repair demands increase significantly compared to peacetime operations.
The sustainment effort highlights the broader U.S. approach to supporting Ukraine’s military capabilities through contractor-backed logistics, maintenance, and technical assistance programs designed to maintain long-term operational readiness of supplied defense systems.
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