Israel’s Ministry of Defense announced today the selection of Elbit Systems’ Iron-Fist Active Protection System (APS) for the protection of some of the IDF combat support armored vehicles. The selection followed a competitive evaluation of several APS solutions. This podcast outlines the program in details. You can read the full story on https://defense-update.com

Israel Aerospace Industries has won a tender to supply a fire control system that will transform obsolete anti-aircraft artillery into modern, effective and potent air defense assets. IAI has won the international tender against competition from leading international bidders, offering the Sky Capture system for $550 million. The customer was not named but is likely the Indian Army.

Boeing has agreed to spend billions of dollars in Israel over the coming decade if it wins major defense contracts, Israel’s Economy Ministry said on Tuesday. https://defense-update.com/20181030_boeing_il.html

The “reciprocal procurement” agreement calls for Boeing to collaborate with Israeli industries for at least 35 percent of the value of any transaction it signs with the Israeli government

Israel closely watches the whereabouts of the new S-300 surface to air missile system, delivered by Russia to Syria last month, Defense-Update reports. https://defense-update.com/20181024_s300_masyaf.html

In this edition, we review some of the highlights of the AUSA exhibition held last week in Washington DC. Our coverage includes new guided weapons, combat vehicles, artillery, active protection systems and the integration of unmanned aerial systems on combat vehicles and with dismounted formations.

The US Army has developed a self-propelled variant of the XM-907 155mm 58 Caliber cannon. Defense-Update reports.

https://defense-update.com/20181014_erca.htm

an M-109A8 variant based on this enhanced design is expected to be fielded by 2023 and provide the US Army with cannon artillery firepower that could reach targets 70 km with high precision. Eventually, the Army hopes that with enhanced ammunition those guns could reach targets at 100 km. This is not the final goal, the Army also plans to test a strategic cannon that will be able to fire projectiles as far as a thousand kilometers away.

DARPA calls for proposals to study tools to enable soldiers to operate and control swarms of up to 250 collaborating bots. Check Defense-Update: https://defense-update.com/20181014_swarm_sprint.html for the full story.

Such swarms will be able to support soldiers fighting in an urban area, providing critical situational awareness, understanding, and decision making.

The IDF is evaluating a new configuration of the Iron-Fist lightweight active protection systems (APS) for the protection of medium wheeled vehicles such as the 8x8 Eitan Armored Personnel Carrier and tactical trucks. The system is also considered for the protection of heavy bulldozers.

Until now small UAVs were designed for dismounted operations, by infantry or special units dedicated for the operation of drones.

Read the full story here: https://defense-update.com/20181009_vehicle_drones.html

Recent advancements in commercial drones and their use by the military bring vehicle and drone manufacturers closer offering integrating drones with manned or unmanned combat vehicles.

Rafael completed recently a successful test series of a Trophy Active Protection System (APS) redesigned to shed some 40 percent of the weight of the original system designed for heavy armored vehicles and main battle tanks. Through more than 300 test firings Trophy succeeded to neutralize more than 280 of the shots that included various types of anti-tank rockets (RPG) and guided missiles (ATGM).