// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM
Iron Fist
Iron Fist is a protective system for military vehicles that automatically detects incoming rockets or missiles. It then fires a small explosive charge to intercept and destroy the threat in mid-air before it can hit the vehicle.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Iron Fist is a hard-kill Active Protection System (APS) developed by Elbit Systems (formerly IMI) to defend armored fighting vehicles (AFVs) from anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), RPGs, and other threats. The system employs a sensor suite of radar and passive infrared detectors to track incoming projectiles and neutralizes them by launching a blast-effect interceptor.
BACKGROUND
Iron Fist is a hard kill active protection system (APS) designed by Israel Military Industries (IMI), with a modular design allowing adaptation to a range of platforms ranging from light utility vehicles to heavy armoured fighting vehicles. The concept was revealed by IMI in 2006 and was expected to enter Israel Defense Forces tests by mid-2007. The system has been successfully tested against a wide variety of threats including rocket-propelled grenades, anti-tank guided missiles and tank-fired high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) ammunition and kinetic energy penetrators.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Active Protection System
- APS
- Hard-Kill System
- Vehicle Protection System
- Countermeasure System
- IFLD
- Iron Fist Light Decoupled
USAGE NOTE
It is typically installed on main battle tanks and armored personnel carriers to improve their survivability against modern anti-armor weapons.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Iron Fist.
An Israeli defense electronics company and the primary developer and manufacturer of the Iron Fist Active Protection System (APS), following its acquisition of Israel Military Industries (IMI) Systems. Elbit is responsible for the system's core technology, production, and international marketing.
A business unit of General Dynamics that has partnered with Elbit Systems to manufacture, integrate, and test the Iron Fist system for the U.S. market. They are heavily involved in adapting the system for U.S. Army vehicles like the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
A key research and development center for the U.S. Army, responsible for testing, evaluating, and overseeing the integration of vehicle protection systems. GVSC has been instrumental in the testing and fielding of the Iron Fist system on the Army's Bradley Fighting Vehicle fleet.
A Swedish subsidiary of BAE Systems that manufactures combat vehicles. They have integrated the Iron Fist APS onto their CV90 infantry fighting vehicles for the Royal Netherlands Army, making them a key partner in the system's deployment on European platforms.
As a primary international customer, the Royal Netherlands Army has been a key driver in the maturation and integration of the Iron Fist system. They selected the system to equip their entire fleet of CV90 infantry fighting vehicles, providing critical funding and real-world integration experience.