Trophy Active Protection System Now Defends Against Helicopters and Drones

January 31, 2025

12:36 PM

Reading time: 3 minutes


Rafael Advanced Defense Systems' Trophy active protection system, renowned for its ability to counter anti-tank missiles, has expanded its capabilities to also thwart low-flying aerial threats, including helicopters and drones. This new development, reported by Bulgarian Military, marks a significant enhancement of the system, making it even more vital on the modern battlefield.

Trophy has proven invaluable in protecting tanks and armored personnel carriers (APCs), particularly during the past 16 months of conflict. Its performance in the Gaza Strip has showcased its capabilities, where it has successfully neutralized numerous missile threats, safeguarding Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) units during intense combat operations.

First introduced in 2010, the Trophy system made its debut in Operation Protective Edge in 2014, where it proved its worth against anti-tank missiles. Since then, its reputation has grown, with the system being adopted by international forces. In 2018, the US Armored Corps began using Trophy, and in 2021, it was selected for installation on Germany's Leopard tanks and the UK’s Challenger tanks.

Today, the Trophy system is deployed on 16 platforms across the globe, providing active defense for a wide range of military vehicles. However, its most intensive usage has occurred in the war in Gaza, where hundreds of Trophy systems have been used in the field. The system has effectively dealt with contemporary anti-tank missile threats—challenges that military experts describe as unprecedented. Yet, as modern warfare evolves, the role of UAVs and other aerial threats has grown increasingly important.

According to senior officials at Rafael, the system has been successfully adapted to counter these new aerial threats through a combination of software updates and minimal hardware modifications. This agile response highlights Rafael’s commitment to keeping the Trophy system relevant and effective in the face of evolving battlefield dynamics.

The continued success of Trophy demonstrates how technological advancements in defense systems can provide military forces with enhanced protection against emerging threats, ensuring that both tanks and armored vehicles remain resilient in increasingly complex and hostile environments.

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