United States Orders Iron Fist Active Protection System for Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles.

The U.S. Department of Defense has signed a contract to acquire Iron Fist active protection systems (APS) for its Bradley infantry fighting vehicles (IFV). This initiative marks an important step in strengthening the defensive capabilities of the U.S. Army’s armored fleet.
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Iron Fist active protection system mounted on the Bradley infantry fighting vehicle. (Picture source: US DoD)

According to an official announcement from the Department of Defense, the contract has been awarded to General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems. Under the terms of this agreement, the company will be responsible for installing these protection systems on the Bradley IFVs. The contract is valued at $191.2 million and covers an unspecified number of systems to be installed over the next three years, with a completion date set for July 31, 2027.

It is worth noting that the funding for this acquisition comes from the budget allocated for assistance to Ukraine. As part of this initiative, the U.S. Army will receive modernized Bradley vehicles equipped with the Iron Fist system, replacing the older M2A2 Bradley models in its inventory.

The Iron Fist active protection system, developed in the early 2000s, was initially designed for the Israeli Defense Forces and has been offered for export to various international clients. The system is designed to intercept and neutralize guided anti-tank missiles and rocket-propelled grenades. Additionally, it is currently being tested to intercept armor-piercing discarding sabot projectiles, enhancing its versatility and effectiveness on the battlefield.

In addition to the Iron Fist countermeasures, the modernized Bradley IFVs will be equipped with onboard radar systems capable of detecting incoming missiles. These systems will work in conjunction with a combined warning system, which includes sensors to detect laser radiation as well as an additional module for space monitoring.

This contract follows the recent presentation of the U.S. Army’s modernized M2A4E1 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, which is set to begin procurement soon. The addition of the Iron Fist system represents a further improvement in the vehicle’s defensive and operational capabilities.

Furthermore, the Israeli defense company Elbit Systems has recently secured a contract to supply the Iron Fist protection system to the Swedish branch of BAE Systems Hägglunds, highlighting the growing international interest in this protection technology.

This order represents a crucial investment in the modernization of the U.S. Army’s armored vehicle fleet, ensuring that the Bradley IFVs are equipped with the latest active protection technologies to counter evolving threats on the battlefield.