Iron Fist APS for US Army’s Bradley IFVs: Haifa, Israel – May 5, 2024 – In a move that significantly bolsters the defensive capabilities of the U.S. Army‘s Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), Elbit Systems Ltd. (ESLT) has secured a $37 million contract to supply its Iron Fist Active Protection Systems (APS). The 24-month contract involves furnishing General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) with the Iron Fist APS, integrating this next-generation technology into the M2A4E1 variant of the Bradley IFV.
Iron Fist APS: Enhanced Protection for the Modern Battlefield
The Iron Fist APS is a battle-tested, hard-kill system designed to safeguard armored vehicles against a wide array of modern threats. As the second-generation APS deployed by the Israel Defense Force, Iron Fist boasts superior performance while maintaining a compact design with minimal weight and power requirements.
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This innovative system offers 360-degree protection for armored platforms, effectively neutralizing several threats both in open terrain and also in dense urban environment. The system safeguards vehicles with a 360-degree shield against a broad spectrum of anti-armor threats, including:
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Anti-Tank Rockets (ATRs)
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Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs)
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Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and loitering munitions
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Kinetic-Energy APFSDS tank ammunition
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Upgrading the Bradley Fighting Vehicles
“Our Iron Fist Active Protection Systems represent the pinnacle of defensive technology, providing comprehensive safeguards against the ever-evolving threats encountered on the modern battlefield,” said Yehuda (Udi) Vered, General Manager of Elbit Systems Land.
“We are honored to collaborate strategically with GD-OTS on enhancing the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles. This integration equips the U.S. armed forces with superior capabilities, empowering them to fulfill their missions effectively and with greater safety.”
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Bradley IFV of the US Army. (File Photo).
Elibt Systems’ Iron Fist APS
The Iron Fist APS is a hard-kill system, employing a cutting-edge method to intercept and destroy incoming threats. The system features a modular design and open architecture, facilitating seamless integration into a diverse range of combat vehicles, including lighter platforms. Installation can be performed as an add-on to existing vehicles with minimal impact on the overall profile.
Iron Fist’s sensor suite combines the strengths of search-and-track radar with infrared cameras, employing data fusion algorithms for swift, reliable, and accurate threat detection, identification, and tracking.
This sophisticated system operates seamlessly alongside existing Battle Management Systems (BMS), Fire Control Systems (FCS), and Elbit Systems’ Iron VisionTM “see-through-armor” technology, augmenting their capabilities without creating limitations.
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The Iron Fist APS employs a countermeasure involving the launch of an explosive charge strategically directed towards the incoming threat. The detonation triggers a powerful shockwave that dismantles or deflects the threat at a safe distance from the protected platform.
This contract award signifies a significant step forward in fortifying the U.S. Army’s Bradley Fighting Vehicles. Elbit Systems‘ Iron Fist APS promises to elevate the survivability of these vital assets on the battlefield, empowering American soldiers with a crucial edge in contemporary warfare.
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