L3Harris has launched a new counter-unmanned systems (C-UxS) initiative aimed at addressing the Department of Defense and allied militaries’ growing concern over small unmanned autonomous systems. The company said the effort will consolidate its existing counter-drone technologies with new capabilities to address threats across air, land and sea domains.
The move comes amid growing military concern over the rapid evolution of unmanned systems, which are becoming cheaper, easier to manufacture and increasingly capable of being deployed in swarms. Advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning and communications are also driving faster development cycles, making traditional procurement timelines less effective in keeping pace.
L3Harris named Tom Kirkland, Vice President and General Manager of its Targeting and Sensor Systems business, to lead the new initiative. The company said Kirkland will oversee cross-functional teams tasked with accelerating the development and integration of counter-unmanned solutions.
The C-UxS effort will draw on several of L3Harris’ existing technologies, including passive sensing systems from its WESCAM electro-optical/infrared line, the Widow mission management software, the AMORPHOUS swarm management tool and electronic warfare and communications capabilities.
Among the company’s fielded systems is the Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment (VAMPIRE), which has been used in combat operations, including in Europe.
VAMPIRE integrates the WESCAM MX-RSTA sensor with a weapons station and uses L3Harris-built proximity fuzes and mission management software to engage both aerial and ground targets. The company is already working on an updated version with expanded electronic warfare and AI-enabled features, as well as plans for variants adapted to land, air and maritime environments.
Other counter-unmanned systems under the L3Harris portfolio include CORVUS-RAVEN, Nimble Finch and Drone Guardian.
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Post Image Credit: L3Harris
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