RAFAEL Armament Development Authority

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For other uses, see Rafael (disambiguation).

RAFAEL logo

RAFAEL Armament Development Authority, known as RAFAEL or Rafael, (also spelled as Raphael or Rephael, and in Hebrew: רפאל - רשות לפיתוח אמצעי לחימה) is the Israeli authority for development of weapons and military technology. Rafael is a former sub-division of the Israeli Defence ministry and is considered a governmental firm.

Rafael develops and produces fighting-technologies for the Israel Defence Forces as well for exporting abroad. All current projects are classified.

[edit] Famous technologies

Overhead Weapon Station (OWS) - a remote controlled weapon installed on armoured fighting vehicles and is being operated by a soldier from within the armoured cabin, thus enabling the gunner to shoot with maximal safety without being exposed to enemy gunfire. It is usually a machine gun armed with 7.62 mm ammo (known as MAG Rafael).[1]
LITENING targeting pod - precision targeting system.
Stabilized naval weapon station (SNWS) Typhoon
Rafael Python 5 - One of the world's most advanced air-to-air missile with full-sphere capabilities.
Air-to-surface standoff missile Popeye (AGM-142)
SPIKE-ER ATGM (anti-tank guided missile).
SIMON breach grenade - Door Breaching Rifle Grenade (RELM/GREM)
WallBuster - Wall Breaching Grenade Launcher
CARPET minefield clearing
Add-on armour: passive armor and reactive armor coats.
Electronics and Electro-Optics.
Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) - a remote controlled weapon installed on armoured fighting vehicles or naval vessels and can be controlled from within the cabin. Various armaments are possible:
- 7.62 mm machine gun (known as MAG Rafael)
- autocannon in caliber of 20 mm up to 40 mm
- 30 mm autocannon combined with two ATGMs pod and 7.62 mm light machine gun
TROPHY Active Protection System for armored fighting vehicles [2]
Skylark\Skylite canister-launched mini-UAV [3]
High-tech systems for the Merkava main battle tank and the Merkava APC "Nammer".