Rafael and SpearUAV team up on interceptor drone for armored forces

Rafael and SpearUAV announced a strategic partnership on Wednesday to develop the Iron Wasp, an interceptor drone designed to counter advanced aerial threats. The system is intended for mounting on armored combat vehicles and is meant to give troops a fast, readily available, and easy-to-operate response to drones and loitering munitions.

According to the companies, the Iron Wasp can be launched immediately from a small multi-cell launcher and is capable of intercepting fast, low-signature targets while the maneuvering force is on the move. They said it requires no advance preparation and adds no significant operational complexity.

Rafael said the system will fit into its layered defense architecture and add an organic protection layer that combines detection, identification, and interception in one system. Zvi Marmor, Rafael’s senior vice president and head of the Land and Sea Division, said the system reflects the company’s technological innovation and adds an aerial interception capability needed by its customers.

Marmor also said the integration with the capabilities SpearUAV developed under its Viper family provides a complete answer to challenges facing ground forces. Yiftach Kleinman, CEO of SpearUAV, called Rafael’s choice of his company a significant vote of confidence in its technology and vision, and said the partnership advances the company’s “Organic Air Force” concept.