Rafael & SpearUAV Introduce IRON WASP C-UAS Capability

Our Bureau - : Jun 18, 2026 - : 9:09 am

Rafael and SpearUAV are collaborating to develop and market the Iron Wasp: an advanced encapsulated UAS interceptor a derivative of SpearUAV’ Viper I (Interceptor) that brings an organic, on-the-move aerial interception capability directly to ground combat platforms.

Built on the core technologies of SpearUAV's proven Viper family of loitering weapon systems, Iron Wasp is designed for integration with Rafael's sensor and lethality solutions. Its open architecture supports compatibility across a wide range of armored and tactical platforms, enabling flexible fielding across diverse customer requirements. The collaboration joins SpearUAV's expertise in autonomous encapsulated UAS technology with Rafael's track record in system integration, combat-proven lethality, and the delivery of scalable, interoperable protection architectures to defense forces worldwide.

Commercially derived drones, purpose-built loitering munitions, and top-attack systems pose persistent, low-cost challenges that no single technology can reliably address alone. Rafael's approach, validated through operational experience in some of the most demanding battlefield environments in the world, is to address this complexity through layered defense. Iron Wasp extends that approach to a new engagement envelope: organic, platform-resident aerial interception.

Deployed from a compact Multi-Canister Launcher integrated directly onto a fighting vehicle, Iron Wasp provides an autonomous, ready-on-demand intercept option that complements the wider force protection suite without adding operational burden to the crew.

Rafael has built and continuously evolved one of the defense industry's most comprehensive force protection architectures. From the combat-proven Trophy Active Protection System, which has defended armored platforms against anti-tank threats across multiple generations of conflict, to the Drone Dome family of counter-UAS systems offering 360-degree all-weather detection and engagement, to the SAMSON family of remote weapon stations integrating kinetic firepower with advanced situational awareness, and the Lite Beam high-energy laser providing cost-efficient directed-energy engagement against drone threats, Rafael has consistently demonstrated the ability to bring diverse, complementary technologies.

"Rafael's strength has always been our ability to bring the right technologies together into a protection architecture that is greater than the sum of its parts. We have built that architecture layer by layer, from active protection on the vehicle to directed energy in the air, from kinetic weapon stations to sophisticated detection and battle management systems. Iron Wasp represents exactly the kind of innovation that strengthens this architecture, adding an organic aerial interception capability that our customers increasingly need. SpearUAV has developed something genuinely impressive in the Viper family, and we are glad to bring it into the fold. Together, we are delivering a more complete answer to one of the most pressing challenges facing ground forces today." EVP Tzvi Marmor, Head of the Land & Naval Systems Division at Rafael.

"Rafael is the innovation leader of the Israeli and global defense industry," says Yiftach Kleinman, CEO of SpearUAV. "Its Active Protection Systems (Trophy and Irone Dome) are remarkable examples of this. We are proud that, after an extensive process, SpearUAV is selected to be part of the family of systems that has saved and will save many lives all over the globe."