Work for the contract will take place over five and a half years.

“The Iron Fist APS is an advanced Hard Kill system aimed at enhancing the self-defense capabilities of armored platforms against modern battlefield threats,” Elbit explained.

Iron Fist is the Israel Defense Force’s second-generation APS “characterized by high performance and low volume, weight and power requirements.”

It provides armored platforms with 360-degree protection from various anti-armor threats, including drones, loitering threats, anti-tank rockets, and anti-tank guided missiles.

“Following the contracts signed in recent years, we are honored to be awarded this important contract by BAE Systems Hägglunds for a European country,” Elbit Systems Land General Manager Yehuda (Udi) Vered said.

“Elbit Systems’ Iron Fist Active Protection Systems have once again been selected by an advanced military as an innovative solution to protect armored platforms and troops, assisting them in accomplishing their missions safely.”

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Iron Fist is a “hard-kill” mounted capability providing enhanced self-defense for light utility to heavy armored vehicles against modern threats.

The weapon debuted in the early 2000s and is now serving as the Israel Defense Force’s second-generation active protection system.

The 360-degree system incorporates a radar sensor and infrared tracker to neutralize targets through a “very-near” contact approach, decreasing fragmentation effects and collateral damage in both open terrain and urban battlefields.

Assets the Iron Fist can counter include anti-tank rockets, guided missiles, aerial drones, and loitering munitions.

Work for the contract will be performed over two years.

Upgrading US IFV Fleet

According to Elbit, the recent agreement is part of General Dynamics’ ongoing project to upgrade the US Army IFVs for eight years.

This effort will integrate second-gen active protection systems for approximately nine Bradley brigades, or more than 1,200 vehicles.

“Our Iron Fist Active Protection Systems represent the highest level of innovation, offering comprehensive protection against evolving threats on the modern battlefield,” Elbit Systems Land General Manager Yehuda Vered commented on the contract signing.

“Through this strategic collaboration with [General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems], we are honored to contribute to the enhancement of the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, further empowering the US armed forces with enhanced capabilities to fulfill their missions effectively and safely.”

Elbit secured a similar contract in 2023 to supply gunner hand stations for the US Army’s Bradley IFVs.

Deliveries for the contract will commence later this year.

Modernizing Bradleys

The US invested $154 million in January 2024 to outfit the army’s Bradley fleet with second-generation forward-looking infrared cameras.

In August 2023, the Pentagon selected BAE Systems to produce more than 70 Bradleys in its A4 variant. It served as a follow-on project for a 2022 deal seeking replacements for older IFVs.

In October 2022, BAE received another contract to sustain the operability of the army’s Bradley IFV and fire support team variants.

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An indefinite delivery pre-solicitation contract has been notified to upgrade the vehicle with the Elbit Systems Iron Fist Active Protection System (APS).

A total of nine US Army Bradley brigades, or 1,242 vehicles, could be outfitted with the second-gen APS, starting with those operating in Europe, Janes revealed, citing sources.

Testing Since 2018

The US Army faced problems when it began testing the platform with the APS in 2018, mainly related to the ignition system in the interceptor.

Since 2021, the faults have been rectified, resulting in improved performance.

“We’ve gotten to the point where we’ve demonstrated that we have fixed those issues, and we’ve gotten a significant maturity level and performance demonstration within the system,” General Dynamics official Tim Neaves told Defense News in 2021.

Iron Fist APS

The Isreali-made Iron First comprises an active electronically scanned array radar and an optional passive infrared detector, and lightweight explosive projectile interceptors.

Interceptors are launched upon detecting incoming threats, including anti-tank guided missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, and tank-fired high-explosive anti-tank ammunition.

The interceptors explode near the munition and at a distance from the vehicle to minimize damage.

Other Bradley Upgrades

Raytheon was awarded a $154-million contract last month to deliver Commander’s Independent Viewer (CIV) systems for the vehicle.

Including an infrared camera, the CIV provides a 360-degree view to the vehicle operator for targeting and oversight operations.

Last year, Elbit was awarded a contract to supply gunner hand stations for the Bradley fleet.

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