Elbit Systems announced that it was awarded an initial contract of approximately USD 37 million to supply Iron Fist Active Protection Systems (APS) to General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) for upgrades to the U.S. Army’s Bradley M2A4E1 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs). The contract will be performed over a period of 24 months. The Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems announced the unveiling of the M2A4E1 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle during an event held by the US Army in Saco, Maine on April 30, 2024. The US Army has allocated funds to procure a Bradley M2A4E1 for each Bradley previously provided to Ukraine, totaling around 200 vehicles to date.
Iron Fist (Hetz Dorban) is a hard-kill active protection system (APS) designed by Israel Military Industries (now Elbit Systems Land), with a modular design allowing adaptation to a range of platforms ranging from light utility vehicles to heavy armoured fighting vehicles. It is the Israel Defence Force’s Second-Generation APS and is characterized by high performance and low volume, weight and power requirements. The system provides armored platforms with 360-degree protection from a wide variety of anti-armor threats, such as Anti-Tank Rockets (ATR), Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM), UAS and Loitering threats, in both open terrain and complex urban environments.
“Our Iron Fist Active Protection Systems represent the highest level of innovation, offering comprehensive protection against evolving threats on the modern battlefield. Through this strategic collaboration with GD-OTS, we are honored to contribute to the enhancement of the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, further empowering the U.S. armed forces with enhanced capabilities to fulfill their missions effectively and safely,” said Yehuda (Udi) Vered, General Manager Elbit Systems Land.
The M2 Bradley, or Bradley IFV, is an American infantry fighting vehicle that is a member of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle family. It is manufactured by BAE Systems Land & Armaments (formerly United Defense). In June 2018, BAE Systems Land and Armaments was awarded a contract to produce up to 164 M2A4 and M7A4 Bradley Fighting Vehicles using existing M2A3, M7A3 and M2A2 ODS-SA Bradleys. The M2A4 is equipped with an enhanced drivetrain, a more powerful engine, new digitized electronics, a new fire suppression system, and a new IED jammer. The first M2A4 models were fielded in April 2022.
