--- title: "This Is The Army’s New M2A4E1 Bradley That Features Iron Fist Protection" description: "The U.S. Army recently unveiled a new upgraded variant of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. The M2A4E1 version most notably features [the Israeli Iron Fist Light](), a hard-kill active protection system designed primarily to physically destroy or at least disrupt incoming…" date: "2024-05-01" modified: "2024-05-01" authors: - name: "Joseph Trevithick" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/joseph-trevithick" url: "https://www.twz.com/land/this-is-the-armys-new-m2a4e1-bradley-that-features-iron-fist-protection" categories: - "Americas" - "Armies" - "Armored Vehicles" - "Around The Globe" - "Land" - "M2/3 Bradley" - "News & Features" - "U.S. Army" - "U.S. Homeland" --- # This Is The Army’s New M2A4E1 Bradley That Features Iron Fist Protection ![The Army has unveiled a new Bradley Fighting Vehicle variant, the M2A4E1, equipped with an Iron First active protection system and other upgrades.]() *US Army* The U.S. Army recently unveiled a new upgraded variant of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. The M2A4E1 version most notably features [the Israeli Iron Fist Light](), a hard-kill active protection system designed primarily to physically destroy or at least disrupt incoming [anti-tank guided missiles]() and other [infantry anti-armor]() weapons like rocket-propelled grenades. This system could potentially also help defend against the growing threat posed by drones, as [*The War Zone* has previously explored]() in detail. The Army rolled out the M2A4E1 last week, [according to]() recent [social media posts]() from the service's Program Executive Office for Ground Combat Systems (PEO GCS). Army Maj. Gen. Glenn Dean, head of PEO GCS, had confirmed the service was starting to buy at least a limited number of Iron Fist systems from integration on Bradleys in [an interview with *Breaking Defense*]() in March. ![]() *An M2A4E1 Bradley with the Iron Fist active protection system and other upgrades seen at a recent rollout ceremony. *US Army** "The M2A4E1 is the most modern and survivable version of the Bradley as a result of integrating an Iron Fist Active Protection System," according to a post on [PEO GCS's official Facebook page](). The new variant also has and "improved High Definition Forward Looking Infrared Gunner’s Sight and an Environmental Control Unit to prevent heat stress for dismounts." As installed on the M2A4E1, Iron Fist Light consists of two countermeasures launchers and four sensor arrays positioned around the vehicle's turret. The sensors, which are small form factor active electronically-scanned array (AESA) radars paired with infrared cameras, are used to detect and cue the launchers, which are turreted themselves. A small interceptor with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead is then fired at the incoming missile or rocket. Israel's [Elbit Systems]() is the manufacturer of Iron Fist and U.S.-based [General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems]() has been serving [as the lead integrator of the system]() onto the Bradley. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4\_kFEw33s4&t=16s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0ymxZruvvI The Army has been interested in adding an active protection system to the Bradley for years and has been looking closely at Iron Fist, specifically, for some time. A major hurdle in the past was [the lack of necessary electrical power]() on earlier A3 variants to support the system. The M2A4 version, which the Army [began fielding in 2022](), features a new auxiliary power unit (APU) that has helped make the Iron Fist integration a reality. ![]() *An M2A4 Bradley. *US Army** The Iron Fist configuration on the M2A4E1 [is also reportedly significantly different]() from previous iterations the Army has tested, but the specifics are unclear. A picture the Army previously released of a Bradley equipped with an Iron Fist did show a version of the system with a different type of radar. ![]() *A US Army Bradley Fighting Vehicle seen circa 2020 with an earlier Iron Fist configuration. *US Army** ![]() *A rendering of a Bradley with an Iron Fist installation also showing a different kind of radar from what is seen now on the M2A4E1. *DOD** PEO GCS [has also said]() that funding to help replace dozens of [older Bradleys transferred to Ukraine]() is aiding in the acquisition of M2A4E1 variants. It is unclear how many M2A4E1s the Army currently plans to acquire and how many of them will be converted from existing models. The Army has been looking to add hard-kill active protection systems to other armored vehicles in inventory, as well. The service has been adding [Trophy systems to its M1 Abrams]() tanks in recent years. ![]() *An M1 Abrams tank with the Trophy APS installed. *U.S. Army via Leonardo** Trophy is another Israeli-made system from Rafael, which has been combat-proven in service with the Israel Defense Forces and that you can read more about in detail [here](). Companies in Israel have been and continue to be pioneers in the development of active protection systems. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtMgnRMIspQ The development and fielding of increasingly [more capable anti-tank guided missiles]() and other infantry anti-armor weapons, including by near-peer competitors [like China]() and [Russia](), has long been a driver for the adoption of active protection systems on armored vehicles by armed forces around the world. Those same kinds of anti-armor capabilities have also been increasingly proliferating among smaller countries and [even non-state actors](). The war in Ukraine, where [U.S.-supplied Javelin anti-tank missiles]() and [similar weapons]() have been a major factor in the fighting on both sides, has helped drive these concerns home. Hard-kill active protection system may now offer a readily available way to give tanks and other armored vehicles extra protection against drones, something you can read about more in-depth in this [past *War Zone* feature](). The [threats posed by uncrewed aerial systems](), including highly maneuverable [first-person view kamikaze types]() and [other weaponized commercial designs](), [is not new](). However, the conflict in Ukraine has again helped [drive it into the mainstream consciousness](). https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1740000950503522511 https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1735054305982398507 https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1691084867839172609 The still-growing dangers that drones and anti-tank missiles, among other things, present to armored vehicles, in particular, have prompted experts working [for the Army to question whether]() designs like the Abrams and the Bradley will still be dominant factors on high-end battlefields by 2040. The service is already looking at a future that features new [lighter-weight crewed tanks]() and [other armored vehicles](), as well as multiple [tiers of uncrewed ground combat vehicles](). ![]() *A slide from a briefing accompanying the Army Science Board's report that gives a general overview of existing and emerging threats the M1 Abrams is facing. *Army Science Board** In the meantime, adding active protection systems to platforms like the Bradley will be one of the ways to help ensure heavy armored vehicles remain relevant on future battlefields, at least under certain circumstances. *Contact the author:* [*joe@twz.com*]() ## Author Joseph is *TWZ’s* Deputy Editor, helping to oversee the site’s highly experienced and dedicated team, while also writing informative and impactful defense and national security content. He lives right in the thick of it in the Washington, D.C. area. ### Author social links [Twitter]() [Bluesky]()