Iron Fist
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 HEAT ammunition and kinetic energy penetrators.
It senses incoming
threats via a fixed radar sensor developed by RADA Electronic Industries and an optional passive infrared detector developed by Elbit's Elisra. When a threat is imminent, an
explosive projectile interceptor is launched towards it. The interceptor
explodes very near the threat, destroying or deflecting and destabilizing it
without detonating its warhead. For this, only the blast effect of the
explosive is used. The interceptor casing is made of combustible materials so
no fragmentation is formed in the explosion, helping
minimize collateral damage.
Acquisition of the
Iron Fist active protection system was approved in June 2009. The system was to
be installed on the Namer armoured
personnel carrier.
In November 2010, The
Israeli ministry of defense announced the stop of funding of the system
development.
In May 2011, the
system intercepted Kinetic energy penetrators and Metis anti tank missiles
during a test in the U.S.
In early 2013, the Mud
tested both the IMI Iron Fist and Rafael
Advanced Defense Systems Trophy in a competition to select a single
second-generation APS for IDF vehicles. Both systems were first-generation
standard at the time. Both systems were financed concurrently until 2010, when
the ministry's participation in funding the Iron Fist was suspended and limited
procurement of the Trophy was initiated. In 2012, the ministry attempted to
combine the two systems into one, utilizing the Iron Fist's interceptor and the
Trophy's Elta radar and C3 system. Because Rafael
would serve as the prime contractor instead of both companies being equal
partners, IMI refused to cooperate. After 2013 trials, completion of a
second-generation APS would be completed within a few years. IMI is also trying
to market the Iron Fist internationally.
