Ukrainian forces neutralize Iranian drone with laser-guided Vampire system: A cost-effective anti-aircraft solution

In the proximity of Odessa, Ukrainians intercepted an Iranian Shahed drone using a previously undetected anti-aircraft system that is reliant on laser-guided rockets. It has since been disclosed that the Iranian drone was shot down with the VAMPIRE system, which uses cost-efficient APKWS rockets.

This ranks as the second most economical anti-aircraft system, following barrel-based options like the Gepard or Skynex, making it perfect for tackling slow-flying drones and more.

The full terminology of VAMPIRE is Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment. It's a system built on the lightweight container launcher LAND-LGR4 from Arnold Defense. This launcher tips the scale at just 27kg and can host four rockets of a 2.76-inch (around 7cm) caliber. Uniquely, its adaptivity allows it to be mounted onto any vehicle.

The secondary vital component of the VAMPIRE system is a module encompassing a thermal imaging camera and a laser pointer. This empowers precise targeting of the deployed APKWS rockets, resulting in pinpoint accuracy with a circular error probability of less than 1 meter, all at a sensible price.

The APKWS rockets essentially repurpose old and abundant unguided Hydra rockets of a 2.76-inch (around 7cm) caliber, many of which were manufactured during the Cold War era. A section incorporating stabilizers and a laser-guided navigation module, which locks onto the target's reflected laser light, is then fastened to these rockets.

This is the simplest form of guidance, which remains unaffected by countermeasure systems such as flares or electronic warfare. However, it necessitates constant guidance of the deployed rocket until it strikes the target. Furthermore, in instances of modern helicopters furnished with laser beam radiation detectors (capable of pinpointing the exact location of the emitter), the launcher may be at risk of bombardment.

The effective range for such APKWS rockets to engage ground targets is likely around 2.5/3km, less than the 5km for helicopter launches. Additionally, the VAMPIRE system showcases significant versatility, as it facilitates the engagement of both airborne and ground targets, such as enemy fortifications or armored vehicles - like BTR armored personnel carriers or infantry fighting vehicles from the BMP family - dependent on the variants of the 2.76 inches (around 7cm) caliber rockets utilized.