US Army Confirms Protection Upgrade for M2 Bradley IFVs with Israeli Iron Fist APS.

The U.S. Army has confirmed a contract for equipping the M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) with the Active Protection System (APS) known as Iron Fist Light Decoupled (IF-LD). This cutting-edge technology, developed and produced by the Israeli defense company Elbit Systems, aims to provide enhanced protection against aerial threats. The announcement was made public through a report by "Breaking Defense" on March 26, 2024.
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The Bradley M2A4 is the latest generation of IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle in the Bradley family. (Picture source U.S. DoD)

According to the details released by “Breaking Defense”, the contract for the Iron Fist APS signifies a targeted enhancement, involving the outfitting of only a select number of units rather than a fleet-wide upgrade. This decision was shared by Maj. Gen. Glenn Dean, the Program Executive Officer for Ground Combat Systems, during the AUSA Global Force Conference. Dean highlighted the commencement of production for the Bradley's APS in limited quantities, marking a pivotal step in the vehicle's defensive capabilities.

The strategic move to incorporate APS technology into the Bradley comes as part of the Army's broader initiative to modernize its armored fleet. This initiative gains particular relevance as the service looks to replenish its inventory with new Bradley units to replace those sent to support Ukraine, ensuring that incoming vehicles are prepared to accommodate the Iron Fist APS.

The U.S. Army's interest in APS technology is not new. Over the past few years, it has begun integrating APS into its Abrams M1A2 SEP V3 tanks and Stryker 8x8 armored vehicles, driven by the combat experiences of allies like Ukraine and Israel. These experiences have underlined the vulnerability of combat vehicles to aerial threats, prompting a shift in the Army's approach to vehicle protection.

In late January, the Army issued a pre-solicitation notice for the Iron Fist system, seeking qualified sources to supply the technology under an eight-year contract aimed at upgrading its Bradley vehicles. This move underscores the service's commitment to bolstering its armored capabilities against evolving threats.

However, despite the advancements with Abrams and Bradley vehicles, the Stryker remains without a definitive APS solution. Last year, the Army conducted limited testing with StrikeShield, a potential APS candidate developed by Rheinmetall and its U.S. partner Unified Business Technologies. The hybrid hard-kill and armor system, however, has not yet met the Army's requirements for Stryker protection

Active Protection Systems (APS) are advanced defense technologies designed to detect and neutralize incoming threats before they can hit and damage armored military vehicles. By employing a combination of radar detection systems, computers, and countermeasure munitions, APS can effectively intercept and destroy or divert anti-tank missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, and other anti-armor munitions in mid-air. On the modern battlefield, APS offers a critical layer of protection for military vehicles, enhancing their survivability against increasingly sophisticated threats. This technology allows for more aggressive maneuvering and positioning by armored units, as it reduces the likelihood of vehicle loss and crew casualties. In essence, APS shifts the dynamics of armored warfare by countering the advantage of anti-armor weapons, thereby maintaining the relevance and operational effectiveness of armored vehicles in conflict scenarios characterized by advanced anti-tank systems and aerial threats.

The Iron Fist Light Decoupled (IF-LD) is an advanced Active Protection System (APS) developed by the Israeli defense company Elbit Systems. Designed to enhance the survivability of light and medium armored vehicles, the IF-LD system provides comprehensive protection against a wide range of anti-tank threats, including rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), and high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) rounds.

The system operates through a combination of detection and interception components. It uses radar and optical sensors to detect incoming threats with high accuracy, enabling the system to track and engage multiple threats simultaneously. Upon threat detection, the IF-LD deploys a countermeasure that neutralizes the threat at a safe distance from the protected vehicle, either by detonating the threat warhead prematurely or by deflecting the projectile off its intended path.

A key feature of the Iron Fist Light Decoupled system is its minimal integration footprint, making it suitable for a wide range of vehicle platforms without significant modifications to the vehicle. This adaptability ensures that various types of military vehicles can be equipped with state-of-the-art protection without compromising on mobility or operational capabilities. Additionally, the IF-LD is designed to minimize collateral damage, making it suitable for urban warfare and operations where minimizing the impact on the surrounding environment is crucial.

Defense News March 2024