As the leader in systems integration and unmanned technologies, L3Harris is rapidly responding to the U.S. Department of Defense and allied partners’ urgent need to identify, track and defeat small unmanned autonomous systems. The company has established a new Counter-Unmanned Systems (C-UxS) initiative, leveraging its breadth of capabilities to overcome unmanned threats across the air, land and sea domains.
A Wicked Problem: Access to Cheap Drones That Evolve Weekly
Small unmanned autonomous vehicles are becoming increasingly cheaper, more deadly and easier to manufacture for surprise, large-scale swarm attacks. With advancements in 5G technology, artificial intelligence and machine learning, attack drones are evolving at an astonishing pace.
“Delivering effective C-UxS solutions is a mission-first priority at L3Harris. As the Trusted Disruptor, we are bringing our full capabilities to bear to overcome this complex threat,” said Jon Rambeau, President of Integrated Mission Systems (IMS), L3Harris. “Traditional solutions that take years to produce are not a viable option when UAV software is maturing by the minute and hardware is changing by the hour.”
L3Harris’ Solution: Experience, Understanding and Partnerships
Tom Kirkland, Vice President and General Manager of the Targeting and Sensor Systems (TSS) sector under IMS has been appointed to spearhead the company’s consolidated C-UxS effort. Kirkland, an Army veteran himself, will oversee several cross-functional teams to ensure that every creative solution and piece of emerging technology is considered to combat this threat.
In order to catapult ahead of the current pace of unmanned advancements, more than one solution will be required. According to Kirkland, L3Harris has three core strengths in this regard: decades of experience with the integration of autonomous systems; a deep understanding of our customers’ needs from L3Harris counter-unmanned systems already fielded in combat operations; and rock-solid partnerships across the commercial and defense industries.
“Our Counter-Unmanned team is laser-focused on the safety of our warfighters and allied partners,” said Tom Kirkland, Vice President and General Manager, TSS, IMS, L3Harris “Defeating this asymmetrical threat will require speed, creativity and teamwork.”
C-UxS: A True Enterprise-Wide Effort
L3Harris already has established and proven counter-unmanned systems such as VAMPIRE™, CORVUS-RAVEN, Nimble Finch and Drone Guardian. The new effort provides expanded and customized C-UxS offerings by combining existing solutions with other key battlefield technologies, such as:
- Passive sensing technology produced by our WESCAM electro-optical infrared systems
- Mission management software like Widow®
- AI/ML swarm management tools like AMORPHOUS™
- Proximity fuze technology for increased accuracy and effectiveness
- Broad electronic, intelligence and cyber capabilities like Next-Generation Multi-mission Electromagnetic Countermeasures
- Resilient communication networks that reliably connect operators and platforms
Proof Point: Expeditious Advancements with VAMPIRE
The VAMPIRE system serves as a textbook example of the coordinated effort L3Harris has placed under the C-UxS umbrella. Developed in months, VAMPIRE has been proven in combat operations to be a very reliable and cost-effective response to the growing UAS threat, especially in European operations.
The system integrates L3Harris’ rugged WESCAM MX™ RSTA targeting and sensor system with its weapons station to allow operators to identify and engage targets quickly. VAMPIRE combines the Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System rocket outfitted with the L3Harris-built proximity fuze. It also uses Widow mission management software, for increased system lethality for engaging ground and aerial targets.
Stay tuned: Based on its current level of success, the next evolution of VAMPIRE is already underway. It will feature enhanced sensors, new electronic warfare effectors and AI/ML capabilities to more quickly identify and target unmanned threats at a greater distance. Customized VAMPIRE variants are also planned for land, air and maritime domains as well.
