U.S. Army Taps RSGS for IFPC Inc 2 Air Defense Interceptor Program

Why It Matters

The contract fills a critical protection gap for forward‑deployed forces and signals deeper U.S.–Israeli industrial collaboration, while expanding the domestic air‑defense market.

Key Takeaways

• Rafael wins Phase 1 of IFPC Inc 2 interceptor program.
• Iron Dome tech adapted for U.S. Army’s layered defense.
• Program targets cruise missiles, drones, rockets, artillery, mortars.
• Open architecture enables future upgrades without launcher changes.
• Arkansas plant creates U.S. jobs, strengthens supply chain.

Pulse Analysis

The U.S. Army’s IFPC Increment 2 program reflects a strategic shift toward a multi‑layered air‑defense architecture capable of countering an expanding threat set that includes subsonic and supersonic cruise missiles, unmanned aerial systems, and traditional rocket‑artillery fire. By selecting Rafael Systems Global Sustainment for Phase 1, the Army taps a proven combat‑tested solution—Iron Dome—while aligning it with the Enduring Shield launcher and a modern battle‑management suite. This move not only accelerates fielding timelines but also demonstrates the Army’s commitment to integrating commercial‑grade technologies into its defensive posture.

Rafael’s adaptation leverages more than a decade of operational data from Israel’s Iron Dome deployments, translating real‑world performance into a U.S.‑specific interceptor that can engage threats at varying ranges and altitudes. The Arkansas production facility, funded by a $1.25 billion Israeli contract, anchors the technology in American soil, creating jobs and reducing reliance on foreign supply chains. This domestic footprint strengthens the resilience of the defense industrial base and positions the United States as a potential exporter of next‑generation interceptor solutions.

A hallmark of the IFPC Inc 2 effort is its Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) and Weapon Open System Architecture (WOSA), which promise seamless integration with existing and future air‑defense layers. By decoupling hardware upgrades from software enhancements, the Army can field incremental capability boosts without costly launcher redesigns. This flexibility is crucial as adversaries evolve their missile and drone arsenals, ensuring that the U.S. maintains a technological edge while offering a scalable platform for allied partners.

U.S. Army Taps RSGS for IFPC Inc 2 Air Defense Interceptor Program

By Tamir Eshel · Feb 9, 2026

Rafael Systems Global Sustainment has been selected for Phase 1 of the U.S. Army’s Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 (IFPC Inc 2) Second Interceptor program, the company announced today. The selection positions Rafael’s proven Iron Dome‑derived technology as a cornerstone of the Army’s evolving air and missile defense architecture.

The Army has already selected three contenders for this project, including a team of Boeing and Anduril, and Lockheed Martin. Dynetics, a Leidos subsidiary, is providing the IFPC Inc 2 primary interceptor – based on the Enduring Shield launcher and AIM‑9X‑2 as the interceptor. The Second Interceptor Program is expected to conform to the Enduring Shield launcher, fire‑control and battle‑management system, offering the warfighter more options for interceptors.

The IFPC Inc 2 program addresses a critical gap in protecting fixed and semi‑fixed military installations against an increasingly diverse threat spectrum. The interceptor system will provide 360‑degree coverage against cruise missiles, unmanned aircraft systems, rockets, artillery, and mortars—threats that have proven devastatingly effective in recent conflicts from Ukraine to the Middle East.

Managed by the Army’s newly established Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Fires through the SHIELD (Short and Intermediate Effectors for Layered Defense) Project Office, the program emphasizes adaptability and future growth. The interceptor design prioritizes upgradability with minimal or no launcher modifications, recognizing that tomorrow’s threats will evolve beyond today’s planning assumptions.

Proven Technology, American Production

Rafael Systems Global Sustainment will adapt technologies from the Israeli Iron Dome system, which has intercepted thousands of rockets and missiles in operational conditions since 2011. The company plans to use advanced modeling and simulation to update the legacy interceptor design to improve effectiveness against current and emerging threats, including subsonic and supersonic cruise missiles.

The selection builds on significant industrial investments already underway. In 2025, Rafael secured a $1.25 billion contract from Israel to accelerate serial production of Iron Dome interceptors in Camden, Arkansas. That facility represents a concrete commitment to U.S.–Israeli defense industrial cooperation, creating American jobs while diversifying air‑defense supply chains.

“We are honored to be selected for this critical phase of IFPC Inc 2,” said LTG (Ret.) Joe Anderson, CEO of Rafael Systems Global Sustainment. “This selection reflects the Army’s confidence in our capabilities and our commitment to delivering advanced, reliable solutions to protect U.S. warfighters.”

Open Architecture for Integrated Defense

The IFPC Inc 2 system will employ a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) and Weapon Open System Architecture (WOSA), enabling integration with other defense layers and future technological upgrades. This open‑architecture approach reflects lessons learned from recent conflicts, where interoperability among different air‑defense systems has proven essential for effective protection.

By incorporating kinetic interceptors into a layered‑defense framework, the Army aims to give commanders multiple options for engaging threats across different ranges and altitudes. The system is designed to enhance both capability—what threats it can engage—and capacity—the number of simultaneous engagements it can support.

Rafael brings operational experience that few competitors can match. The Iron Dome system has faced real‑world testing against massed rocket attacks, evolved drone threats, and cruise missiles. Those operational lessons, combined with Rafael Systems Global Sustainment’s experience in system integration and sustainment, offer the Army a pathway to rapidly fielding proven technology adapted for American requirements.

As the Army modernizes its air and missile defense capabilities under an evolving threat environment, the IFPC Inc 2 program represents a critical investment in protecting forward‑deployed forces and critical infrastructure. With Phase 1 now underway, Rafael will work closely with the SHIELD Project Office to demonstrate how Iron Dome‑derived technology can be tailored to meet the specific demands of U.S. military operations.