Israel Develops Container-Launched Iron Wasp Interceptor Drone

Israeli defense company Rafael and startup SpearUAV have announced a partnership to develop the Iron Wasp interceptor drone.

The new system is based on SpearUAV’s Viper interceptor technology and is launched from a compact multi-canister launcher mounted on combat vehicles, according to CTech.

The system is designed to counter high-speed, highly maneuverable, and loitering munitions.

The released promotional video shows enemy FPV drones attacking a convoy of armored vehicles, while interceptor drones launched from a roof-mounted twin-canister launcher successfully engage and neutralize the threats.

The vehicles are additionally fitted with radar systems for detecting and tracking hostile aerial targets.

Notably, Hezbollah’s kamikaze drones emerged as the primary cause of Israeli military casualties in Lebanon, overtaking threats such as anti-tank guided missiles.

Approximately 80% of drones are controlled via fiber-optic cables, making them effectively immune to electronic warfare (EW) countermeasures.