The Dutch Army has selected BAE to integrate the Elbit Systems Iron Fist Active Protection System into its fleet of CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles following successful testing to integrate it onto the platform.
Iron Fist is an advanced technology that automatically detects, tracks and neutralises incoming threats to protect the vehicle and its crew. The Royal Netherlands Army has been working closely with BAE Systems Hägglunds to study the implementation of the Iron Fist APS onto the CV9035NL since 2015.
According to BAE, the first phase evaluated the feasibility of five systems. The second phase focused on the inherent performance and high level integration of the APS. With the first layer of soft-kill technology integrated onto the Dutch Army’s CV9035NL fleet, plans are underway to add the Iron Fist’s final layer.
“Over the last couple of years, we have done a thorough job in studying the integration and conducting system tests with the Active Protection System for the CV90 platform. We are now confident that it will provide the capability we need. The APS will give us a significant combat advantage and will improve tactical operation,” said Joost Vernooij, Dutch Project Manager for CV90 in a news release.
“I look forward to the next phase in our Mid-Life Upgrade program of the CV9035NL, with focus on integration, Human Machine interfacing and performance optimization.”
“This development is a strategic milestone in the CV90’s holistic survivability approach. It complements the already existing, stealth- and soft-kill layers with further means to defeat the incoming threat, making survivability even more achievable,” said Dan Lindell, the CV90 platform manager at BAE Systems Hägglunds, the manufacturer of the vehicle.
The CV90 is operated by six other European nations who participate in the development of the vehicle through the CV90 User Club.
Does anybody know when the British MOD evaluation dates for the above sysytem will begin. From Janes May 2019: Elbit Systems is slated to receive two coveted contracts for its Iron Fist Light Decoupled (IF-LD) active protection system (APS), one from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) and another from the US Army. Both countries recently detailed plans to acquire the system, with the US Army planning to award General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (Elbit Systems’ US-based partner) with a new USD122.2 million contract in January 2020, and the UK MoD awarding Elbit Systems a USD1.5 million (GBP1.2 million)… Read more »
Not sure, but the Iron Fist APS is also part of the BAe upgrade package being put forward for the Chally upgrade.
Personally I think this will significantly increase the survive-ability of the Chally on operations. I believe the current system uses to two multi-axis turrets with two ready rounds. Perhaps in future this may need to be increased as people get wise to the system and try to swamp it.
Good points, but my biggest gripe is the how the MOD funds yet another evaluation after they funded an evaluation in 2016 regards APS. Active Protection for our Armed Forces The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has placed a £7.6 million contract with QinetiQ to evaluate an Active Protection System (APS) for armoured vehicles. QinetiQ will work with a number of sub-contractors, including Airbus Defence and Space who are contracted to deliver, for evaluation, a number of systems based on the MUSS® self-protection systems. The technical assessments will quantify how well the system performs against a range of weapon… Read more »
I seem to remember reading a few days back that the new combined Rheinmetall/BAE proposal for the Challenger Upgrade at DSEI did not sport any Hard kill APS system. I guess that doesn’t mean it won’t have it mind, just that tests of such a system would probably need to prove successful enough to the MOD before it was incorporated into the proposal and we know the snail like speed that will proceed at most like as this article indicates. So I presume the proposal itself progresses separately without it for now so that it does not create a drag… Read more »
I had an essay published (not a very good one) on this very subject not too long ago, where to begin. Davey, it was touted on the BAE bid for the budget CR2 upgrade, it was not well done, almost half ar**d to be honest, almost looked like they expected to win as it was their vehicle. Out of all the systems I commended on Iron fist was by far the better, It had a great false alarm rate, the interceptor was more advanced than the rest and it had a better growth potential with upgradable projectiles. Some of the… Read more »
BV I take it you are an armoured man? Fair play, bugger that, far to dangerous lol
Can you tell?
BV
The BV was a bit of a clue! Lol
Ha, so not the witty statements about armoured warfare, or the in depth knowledge about Challenger 2, but because my name has boiling vassal in it. I must try harder. If only I could use my real name things would be simpler, but like you I suspect, we both still go to the office dressed like a three bean salad.
BV
Ah! I think your knowledge may have tipped the balance! And three bean salad, those days are gone, it’s raybans and baseball cap nowadays lol!!!
I agree the Black Knight concept was a rushed study. But I feel BAe were aiming at the right upgrades for the budget i.e. sensors and self defence. One interesting statement made by Russia no less, is that Isreal have not lost a Merkava4 tank in combat, due to its Trophy APS. I did a study on a number of systems that were currently in production and those that were about to go into production. It was quite eye-opening at what people with blue sky thinking were advocating. I think the most ridiculous was the curtain systems, that detonate a… Read more »
I think BAE were unfortunate with their proposal, it was pitched at the correct level at the time. If 7 years ago you asked me to spec an MLU for CR2 it would have looks almost identical to the BAE bid, there was no appetite at the time for a clean slate (ish) approach. I also think the MOD/BAE were in denial abut the L-30, some of the ideas about increasing the penetrator length and changing the composition of the propellent were just going to delay the inevitable and increase operating costs, you would be surprised at how many of… Read more »
Bloody hell BV, that is about the best practical and relevant post I have ever read on here. And yes, I agree about the “pink mist” comment, and those of us who may become the pink mist love the support and protection you boys give, but fuck me dont you just attract the more hostile members of the local community, and we are never sure if we want to be safe hunkered down, shitting our pants behind you, or legging it to a safe distance as your armoured magnet attracts those angry RPGs!!!!!
I disagree with Afghanit’s performance though. On the T14 it’s fitted either side of the main gun and is fixed in a splayed out forward looking horizontal plane. Therefore, against a top attack missile like Hellfire/Brimestone it cannot defend the tank. To defend against let alone detect a fin round the radar will need to have a very short wavelength probably 2cm or smaller. A longer wavelength radar could detect it. However, the round will be traveling perpendicular to the tank. So the radar will only see the frontal cross sectional area of the fin’s nose for most of the… Read more »
Thanks for a most intersting read.
Elbit, oh dear, Israeli, naughty Dutch…….Sole S……hellooooooo?
Didn’t you say in your last comment you would never reply to me again? Before the article got taken down
Seems you can’t stay away from me
Oh dear, struggling again, was this initial comment a reply? Oh dear, never mind, how sad!
Sort of the same thing though isn’t it
I’ve noticed you accuse people of struggling or another inane childish response when your hypocrisy is pointed out to you
Face it, you gave it Charlie big spuds, got owned for being a troll, started making up stuff, then ran away with your tail between your legs saying you were finished with me and never engaging with me on here again
Then because your blood is still boiling you revert back to type and try trolling me again
Better luck next time lad
Wow you have an anger issue son, you need to calm down, wipe your lips clear of froth and get back onto Wikipedia to learn some military stuff. Have a great evening.
Not really lad, the only one angry here is you, it’s ripping out of you, that’s why you trolled me again on here Always remember, every single time it’s you replying to me or even now trolling me mentioning my name when I haven’t even commented, that’s the anger inside you Dry your eyes and go on Wikipedia and look at some geopolitical ideas and opinions, then read the page on trolling, check out the bully one as well, oh yeah and if there is a page on how not to embarrass yourself acting hard on the internet try that… Read more »
Thank you very much, your input is important to me and others on here. Have a nice evening. BV, any good?
And many thanks for advising me on my spelling, much appreciated, sorry nearly missed that bit.
I tell you what, I have been a great follower of both of you fine chaps over the years, you both have points to make and the site would be worse off without ether. lets look at 2 course of actions, 1 come and meet me for a pint, both of you lads, I’m sure if you meet things will be grand. COA 2 lets meet online, I will be the middle man on some Skype chat, we can solve this bad feelings once and for all.
BV
I apologise, as I sometimes have a weakness in answering and challenging chuff! I will attempt to act more mature and be nothing but nice. So BV, here goes!
That leaves you SS, where in the world are you?
BV
Airborne is a child
Fair comment
I’ve had battles over the years on here and always got past it and shook hands and moved on, problem is to do that you have to respect people’s right to an opinion, he doesn’t do that at all
I’m more than happy to knock it on the head, don’t do Skype but I’m always game for a pint, if you’re ever in the North West giz a shout and I’ll send you my num on Twitter or email
Well, as of 10 mins ago, I’m stuck in Catterick Garrison, what a nice place to exist. This is all we can ask for, is there a secure way we can pass out details on?
Bv
I see, not too far away really, you ever in Manchester? If you ever are then we can arrange to pass details, i would have to create an email add for sole purpose of receiving a number or vice verse, only secure way of doing it
Brilliant stuff BV.