Armoured fighting vehicles will now be able to intercept top-attack kamikaze drones and loitering munitions in mid-air using autonomous drones launched from capsules mounted on the vehicles themselves. Developed in collaboration between RAFAEL and SpearUAV, Iron WASP provides ground manoeuvre forces with organic, kinetic air defence capability at the vehicle level. This development marks a new era in defence doctrines.
Built upon SpearUAV’s combat-proven Viper I platform, Iron WASP constitutes the latest addition to RAFAEL’s multi-layered counter-UAS (C-UAS) system family.
The New Layer in the Multi-Layered Defence Architecture
RAFAEL offers an integrated protection umbrella on the modern battlefield with solutions including the Trophy Active Protection System (APS), the Drone Dome C-UAS family, the SAMSON remote-controlled weapon stations (RCWS), and the Lite Beam high-energy laser weapon.
Complementing traditional soft-kill and hard-kill phases, Iron WASP adds the capability to this ecosystem by launching directly from the vehicle to neutralise hostile drones in flight.
The emergence of commercial drones, purpose-built loitering munitions, and top-attack systems as asymmetric threats has made it necessary for ground units to reconfigure their defence setups. Iron WASP is launched from a compact Multi-Canister Launcher (MCL) integrated onto the combat vehicle. The system provides an autonomous and instantly ready air defence option without adding extra workload to the vehicle crew.
Key Technical Features of Iron WASP
- Instant Readiness and Reaction: Requires no pre-mission calibration or preparation; can be launched immediately against fast, highly manoeuvrable, low-RCS aerial threats.
- Low SWaP Design: Optimised for Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP), enabling integration across a wide range of platforms from armoured fighting vehicles to tactical wheeled vehicles without adding extra burden.
- Open Architecture Infrastructure: Designed for full compatibility with RAFAEL’s existing sensors, warheads and command-and-control (C2) systems. Also allows flexible configuration according to different customer requirements.
“A Comprehensive Solution to One of the Greatest Threats Facing Ground Forces”
Sharing technical details about the collaboration, Tzvi Marmor, Head of RAFAEL’s Land and Naval Systems Division, stated:”We have built our protection architecture layer by layer, from active protection systems to directed energy weapons. Iron WASP reinforces this architecture with the organic air defence capability that our customers increasingly require. SpearUAV has developed impressive technology with the Viper family. Together, we are offering a more comprehensive solution to one of the most significant threats facing ground forces.”
Yiftach Kleinman, CEO of SpearUAV, emphasised that RAFAEL is a global innovation leader with systems such as Trophy and Iron Dome, adding:”Following a thorough evaluation process, we are proud to have been selected as part of this system family that has saved countless lives around the world. This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to delivering state-of-the-art capsule-based solutions against evolving threats faced by manoeuvre forces.”
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Source: C4Defence-Rafael
