Israel Elbit Systems
Iron Fist Active Protection System
Elbit Systems' hard-kill active protection system for armoured vehicles, fielded in light configurations for AFVs/IFVs/logistics vehicles and a heavier configuration for main battle tanks. Iron Fist combines Doppler AESA radar with electro-optical sensors for continuous 360-degree day/night threat detection, then defeats incoming rounds with a compact blast interceptor detonated at standoff distance rather than a fragmenting projectile, limiting collateral effects. It engages RPGs, recoilless rounds and anti-tank guided missiles, with the heavier variant also countering HEAT and kinetic-energy tank rounds. It was selected for the US Army's M2 Bradley and integrated on the Israeli Eitan 8x8, with a full-system weight of roughly 450 kg suited to light and medium platforms.
2 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-16
Pricing: Selected for US Army M2 Bradley; integrated on Israeli Eitan 8x8
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
Israeli export-licensed
Israeli MoD (DECA/SIBAT) licensing; active export programme.
Channel: Direct commercial / G2G
Fielded & proven
Limited · 2 operators
Status: active.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Protection
Armor, countermeasures and survivability.
| Armor Armor technology: composite, modular, ERA-fitted, uranium-ceramic. Exact compositions are classified. | Hard-kill active protection system (blast interceptor) |
|---|---|
| Countermeasures Self-protection: chaff, flares, DIRCM, towed decoys, smoke dischargers, jammers. | AESA Doppler tracking radar, electro-optical sensors, blast-interceptor launchers |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor. | 450 kg |
|---|
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 2 |
|---|
Specifications compiled from public Elbit Systems and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-16.
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Boeing E-3 Sentry (AWACS) Frequently asked questions
How much does the Elbit Systems Iron Fist Active Protection System weigh? +
The Elbit Systems Iron Fist Active Protection System has a combat weight of 450 kg.
What is the Elbit Systems Iron Fist Active Protection System used for? +
The Elbit Systems Iron Fist Active Protection System is a other typically used for vehicle protection.
How many countries operate the Elbit Systems Iron Fist Active Protection System? +
The Elbit Systems Iron Fist Active Protection System is operated by 2 countries.
How much does the Elbit Systems Iron Fist Active Protection System cost? +
Elbit Systems Iron Fist Active Protection System: Selected for US Army M2 Bradley; integrated on Israeli Eitan 8x8. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
