US Army Active Protection Systems (APS) Program summary

Executive Summary

• In FY17, in support of the European Deterrence Initiative, the Army initiated an expedited installation and characterization of three Active Protection Systems (APS): the Rafael Trophy APS for the Army Abrams M1A2 and Marine Corps M1A1 tanks, the Artis Iron Curtain APS for the Stryker family of vehicles, and the Elbit Iron Fist – Light Decoupled APS for the Bradley family of vehicles.

• The selected APS technologies are non-developmental items intended to improve the survivability of ground combat vehicles against anti-tank guided missiles, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), and recoilless rifle threats by using a kinetic “hard kill” mechanism to intercept and disrupt/defeat theincoming threat.

• The Army tested the APS in two phases. Phase I assessed technology maturity, performance, and integration. Phase II supported the urgent materiel release (UMR).

Trophy APS

• In FY19, the Army completed Phase II of the TrophyAPS testing. DOT&E will summarize the demonstrated performance in a combined OT&E/LFT&E report in 2QFY20 to support the UMR. 

• Based on the demonstrated performance, the Army issued a directed requirement to procure and install Trophy APS systems on Abrams for a total of four Armored Brigade Combat Teams, by the end of FY20.

Iron Fist – Light Decoupled APS

• In FY18, the Army completed Phase I Iron Fist APS testing on the Bradley. This test supported the Army Requirements Oversight Council (AROC) meeting on November 30, 2018, where the Army decided to move forward with the Phase II Iron Fist – Light Decoupled APS program. Phase II testing is currently scheduled for FY21.

Stryker APS

• In FY18, the Army completed Phase I Iron Curtain APS testing on the Stryker. In FY19, the Army pursued and tested two additional Stryker APS solutions: Advanced Modular Armor Protection – Active Defense System by UBT/Rheinmetall and the Trophy Light system by DRS/Rafael. The Army has not selected any of these solutions due to the demonstrated performance and the systems maturity.

Trophy APS

• The Trophy APS includes search radars to detect, identify, and track incoming threats, and a set of kinetic projectiles intended to destroy the threat or cause its early detonation. The Abrams base armor is expected to absorb post‑engagement threat residuals (threat by-products generated after the collision). The Trophy APS adds approximately 8,600 pounds to the platform. The Army has integrated the Trophy system into the tank’s situational awareness system.

Iron Fist – Light Decoupled APS

• The Iron Fist – Light Decoupled APS includes radars and optics to detect, identify, and track incoming threats, and a set of explosive projectiles intended to destroy or divert the threat. The system adds approximately 1,543 pounds to the platform. The fielded Bradley A3 does not generate sufficient power to operate the APS, while the Bradley A4 power components, currently under development, can support this APS solution.

Stryker APS

• The Army evaluated three different solutions for Stryker APS: Iron Curtain, Advanced Modular Armor Protection – Active Defense System, and the Trophy Medium Variant system. Each vendor had unique technical solutions with different countermeasure mechanisms. The Army did not select any of the three systems evaluated.

Via DOT&E FY 2019 ANNUAL REPORT