Editing Rafael Advanced Defense Systems

{{Short description|Israeli defense company}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.
| logo = Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Logo.svg
| logo_size = 250px
| caption = 
| type = [[Government-owned corporation]]
| traded_as = 
| fate = 
| predecessor = Science Corps
| successor = 
| foundation = {{start date and age|1948}}
| founder = 
| defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| location_city = [[Kiryat Bialik]]
| location_country = Israel
| locations = 
| area_served = 
| key_people = [[Yoav Har-Even]] ([[CEO]] and [[President (corporate title)|President]])
| industry = [[Arms industry|Defense]], [[Aerospace]]
| products = Military aerospace<br />Missiles<br />[[Artillery|Ordnance]]<br />Defense electronics<br />Protection systems<br />Naval systems
| services = 
| revenue = {{profit}}$4.850 billion [[United States dollar|USD]] (2024)<ref name=israeldefense>{{cite web|url=https://www.rafael.co.il/press/rafael-registers-record-breaking-year-in-sales-orders/|title=RAFAEL Registers Record Breaking Year in Sales & Orders|website=www.rafael.co.il/}}</ref>
| operating_income = 
| net_income = {{profit}}$159 million [[United States dollar|USD]] (2024)<ref name=israeldefense />
| assets = 
| equity = 
| owner = [[State of Israel]]
| num_employees = 10,000
| divisions = Missiles and NCW Division<br />Ordnance and Protection Division<br />Manor – Advanced Defense Technologies Division
| subsid = RDC (RAFAEL Development Corporation)
| homepage = {{URL|www.rafael.co.il}}
| footnotes = 
| intl = 
}}
'''Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.''' ({{langx|he|רפאל - מערכות לחימה מתקדמות בע"מ}}) is an Israeli [[Defense contractor|defense technology company]]. It was founded as Israel's National R&D Defense Laboratory for the development of [[weapon]]s and [[military technology]] within the [[Ministry of Defense (Israel)|Israeli Ministry of Defense]]; in 2002 it was incorporated as a [[limited company]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://duns100.dundb.co.il/ts.cgi?tsscript=comp_eng&duns=600024863|title=Globes Dun's 100 - Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514133537/http://duns100.dundb.co.il/ts.cgi?tsscript=comp_eng&duns=600024863|archive-date=2013-05-14}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Operation Guardian of the Walls, May 2021. XVIII.jpeg|thumb|Rafael's [[Iron Dome]] air defense and [[Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar|C-RAM]] system]]
[[File:Spike LR 3.jpg|thumb|220px|Israeli soldier with [[Spike (missile)|Spike]] anti-tank missile launcher]]
[[File:Python5-missile001.jpg|thumb|220px|Python-5 (front) and Shafrir 1 (back) missiles]]
[[File:Popey missile.jpg|thumb|220px|[[Popeye (missile)|Popeye standoff missile]]]]
[[File:Trophy-APS--Merkava-4M-pic01-Zachi-Evenor (cropped).jpg|thumb|220px|Rafael's [[Trophy (countermeasure)|Trophy active protection system]], "Windbreaker", on an Israeli [[Merkava#Merkava Mark IV|Merkava Mk IV]] [[main battle tank]]]]

Rafael was established in 1948 as the Science Corps ({{langx|he|חיל המדע}}, known by the acronym HEMED, {{langx|he|חמד}}) under the leadership of [[Shlomo Gur]]. It was renamed the Research and Design Directorate ({{Script/Hebrew|אגף הפיתוח והתיכנון}}) in 1952. In 1952 [[David Ben-Gurion]] decided to split the activities of HEMED into two agencies. The pure scientific research was left with HEMED, while the development of weapons was placed into the new EMET agency.<ref>The bomb is the basement, page 43</ref>

In 1954 Ben-Gurion decided to change the name of EMET to ''RAFAEL'' ({{langx|he|רשות לפיתוח אמצעי לחימה|lit=Armament Development Authority}}).<ref>The bomb is the basement, page 113</ref> It was reorganized as Rafael in 1958.<ref name="merdor">{{cite encyclopedia|title=Science Corps (Hemed)|encyclopedia=IDF in Its Corps: Army and Security Encyclopedia|last=Merdor|first=Monaya M.|publisher=Revivim Publishing|year=1982|pages=17–19|volume=17|language=he}}</ref>

In 1995, [[Yitzhak Rabin]] asked [[Amos Horev]] to become chairman of the board of Rafael, following many years in which Horev had served as chairman of Rafael's advisory committee.<ref name="mit-forumil">{{cite web |url=http://mit-forum.org.il/about/advisory-board/101-amos-horev |title=Amos Horev |publisher=MIT Enterprise Forum |date=January 1, 2001 |access-date=June 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721143533/http://mit-forum.org.il/about/advisory-board/101-amos-horev |archive-date=2011-07-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Horev served as chairman until January 2001.<ref name="mit-forumil"/>

===Restructuring as a limited company===
During the early 1990s Rafael was operating at a loss (peaking in 1995, with a loss of $120 million on a turnover of $460 million). Therefore, it was decided to restructure the organization and start operating Rafael as a company. Initially the new company had three discrete divisions, each operating as a profit center, with a separate balance sheet presented to the newly formed management board.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rafael Operating as Gov't Company Since January 1 - Preparatory to Becoming Limited Company|url=http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=368672|newspaper=Globes|date=May 1, 1997}}</ref>

The restructuring was completed in 2002 when Rafael was formally incorporated as a [[limited company]] (although still as a [[government-owned corporation]]), while maintaining its technological capabilities through an investment of about 10% of turnover in [[R&D]] programs. In its first year as a limited company, Rafael earned a $37 million profit on $830 million in sales.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rafael 2003 net profit: $37m|url=http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=781005|newspaper=Globes|date=March 17, 2004}}</ref> By 2016, Rafael reported annual net profits of 473 million [[Israeli new shekel|ILS]] (roughly 130 million dollars), up 3%, compared with ILS 459 million in 2015. New orders in 2016 totaled ILS 10.7 billion, and sales amounted to ILS 8.32 billion, 6% more than in 2015. The company's orders backlog as of the end of 2016 was ILS 21.72 billion, 12% more than at the end of 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-rafael-reports-higher-profit-for-2016-1001181597|title=Rafael reports higher profit for 2016|last=Azulai|first=Yuval|date=March 20, 2017|website=Globes}}</ref>

On October 14, 2007, the company changed its name from Rafael Armament Development Authority Ltd. to Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.

==Notable products==
*[[Python (missile)|Python]] – an [[air-to-air missile]]s system.
* [[Spike (missile)|Spike]] – a fourth generation<ref name=4thgen>{{cite web |url=http://defense-update.com/features/du-2-07/helicopters_EO_missiles.htm |title=Defense Update issue 2-07 (May - June 2007) : Electro-Optically Guided Weapons |publisher=Defense-Update.Com |access-date=1 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106035337/http://defense-update.com/features/du-2-07/helicopters_EO_missiles.htm |archive-date=6 January 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> [[fire-and-forget]] [[anti-tank guided missile]]
* [[Popeye (missile)|Popeye]] – an air-to-ground missile system.
** [[Popeye (missile)#Popeye Turbo Submarine Launched Cruise Missile|Popeye Turbo SLCM]] – believed to be a nuclear-tipped [[submarine-launched cruise missile]]<ref>[http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/israel/missile/popeye-t.htm Popeye Turbo - Israel Special Weapons]. Fas.org. Retrieved on 2013-07-17.</ref>
*[[Iron Beam]] – laser missile defense system
* [[Iron Dome]] – an [[Anti-aircraft warfare|air defense system]] to intercept short-range [[rocket]]s and [[Shell (projectile)|artillery shells]]<ref name=firstInterceptAshkelon>{{cite news|title=Iron Dome successfully intercepts Gaza rocket for first time|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/iron-dome-successfully-intercepts-gaza-rocket-for-first-time-1.354696|access-date=7 April 2011|newspaper=Haaretz|date=7 April 2011|author=Anshel Pfeffer|author2=Yanir Yagna}}</ref>
* [[Trophy (countermeasure)|TROPHY]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=TROPHY® Active Protection System for AFVs |url=https://www.rafael.co.il/worlds/land/trophy-aps/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=www.rafael.co.il}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=TROPHY™ - Active Protection System (APS) and Hostile Fire Detection (HFD) for Armored Vehicles |url=https://www.leonardodrs.com/what-we-do/products-and-services/trophy-active-protection-system-aps/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Leonardo DRS |language=en-US}}</ref>– an [[active protection system]] for armored vehicles.
* [[Protector USV]] – an [[unmanned surface vehicle]] (unmanned, autonomous  naval combat system)<ref>{{cite web |title=Protector |work=Defence Updates |url=http://www.defense-update.com/products/p/protector.htm |access-date=2007-04-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070503115143/http://www.defense-update.com/products/p/protector.htm |archive-date=2007-05-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[David's Sling]] – surface-to-air missile system.

==Civilian technology transfer==
In 1993, Rafael Development Corporation (RDC), a [[technology transfer]] company, was established as a joint venture with [[Elron Electronic Industries]]; in order to  commercialize applications based on defense technologies for medical devices, telecommunications, and semiconductor industries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=536891|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101143126/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=536891|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 January 2009|title=RDC Rafael Development Corporation Ltd.: Private Company Information - Businessweek|work=Businessweek.com|access-date=10 July 2015}}</ref>  The company established and developed several companies including:

* [[Given Imaging]] – focusing on [[capsule endoscopy]] technologies.<ref>[http://www.investinisrael.gov.il/NR/exeres/01104877-8720-4F39-8441-BD24EC58D8B9.htm Invest in Israel: Given Imaging] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721142613/http://www.investinisrael.gov.il/NR/exeres/01104877-8720-4F39-8441-BD24EC58D8B9.htm |date=2011-07-21 }}</ref>
* [[Oramir|Oramir Semiconductor Equipment]] – a developer of laser cleaning technologies for the semiconductor industry,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150403093030/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-12813651.html Fairchild launches Oramir] Israel Business Today</ref> sold to [[Applied Materials]] in 2001 for $21 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.secinfo.com/d6p8.4f897.htm|title=SEC Info - Applied Materials Inc/DE - '10-Q' for 7/29/01|access-date=10 July 2015}}</ref>
* Starling Advanced Communications ([[TASE]]:STLG) – a provider of broadband wireless networking solutions for [[airliner]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/snapshot/snapshot.asp?ticker=STLG:IT|title=List of Public Companies Worldwide, Letter - Businessweek - Businessweek|work=Businessweek.com|access-date=10 July 2015}}{{dead link|date=April 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
* Galil Medical – a developer of [[cryotherapy]] solutions.<ref name=globes>{{cite news|title=Elron sells entire Galil Medical stake|url=http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000546886&fid=1725|newspaper=Globes|date=15 March 2010}}</ref>
* SELA Semiconductor Engineering Laboratories – a provider of automated sample preparation tools for semiconductor manufacturers, sold to Camtek Intelligent Imaging.<ref name=globes />
* 3DV Systems – developers of the [[ZCam]], a [[time-of-flight camera]] products for [[video]] applications, sold to [[Microsoft]].<ref name="MS confirmed">{{cite web |first=Shmulik |last=Shelah |title=Microsoft confirms 3DV acquisition |url=http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000460733 |work=[[Globes (newspaper)|Globes]] |publisher=Globes Publisher Itonut |location=[[Tel Aviv]] |date=2009-06-22 |quote=[Microsoft corporate vice president of Israel Research & Development Moshe Lichtman] said, for the first time officially, that "the R&D center helped Microsoft in buying the intellectual property of 3DV Systems, and in the wake of that dozens of the company's employees were recruited to work at the development center." |access-date=2009-06-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626051708/http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docView.asp?did=1000460733 |archive-date=2009-06-26 }} [http://www.ivc-online.com/ivcWeeklyItem.asp?articleID=9252 Alt URL] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218202558/http://www.ivc-online.com/ivcWeeklyItem.asp?articleID=9252 |date=18 February 2012 }}</ref>
* Medingo – developer of a micro pump [[insulin delivery]] system consists of two parts: a semi-disposable insulin dispensing patch and a remote control, which allows for discreet personalized insulin delivery. The company was sold to [[Hoffmann-La Roche]]'s subsidiary [[Roche Diagnostics]] for $160 million as well as up to $40 million in milestone payments.<ref>{{cite news|title=Roche Acquires Insulin Pump Company Medingo|url=https://www.diabetesdaily.com/forum/diabetes-news/41612-roche-acquires-insulin-pump-company-medingo|newspaper=Diabetes Daily|date=14 April 2010}}</ref>
[[File:Spyder missile system.jpg|thumb|SPYDER launcher]]

==Products==
* Air Defense systems
** [[Iron Dome]]
*** [[Tamir (missile)|Tamir]], missile used by Iron Dome
*** [[C-Dome]] (the naval version of Iron Dome)
** MIC4AD
** [[SPYDER]]
** [[David's Sling]]
** [[Drone Dome]]
** [[Iron Beam]]
** [[SkySonic]] 
* Air to Air missiles
** [[Python-5]]
** [[Python (missile)#Derby|I-Derby]]
** [[Python (missile)#I-Derby ER|I-Derby ER]]
** [[Sky Spear (missile)]]
* Air to Surface missile
** [[Spice (bomb)]] Family
** [[Sparrow (target missile)|SPARROW family]]
** [[ROCKS (missile)|Rocks]] Family, unveiled in February 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hughes |first1=Robin |title=Rafael unveils Rocks air-to-surface missile |url=https://www.janes.com/article/86679/rafael-unveils-rocks-air-to-surface-missile |website=Jane's 360 |access-date=20 February 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190220211407/https://www.janes.com/article/86679/rafael-unveils-rocks-air-to-surface-missile |archive-date=2019-02-20 |location=London |date=20 February 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ahronheim |first1=Anna |title=Israel unveils Rafael's new advanced bunker buster missile, 'Rocks' |url=https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Israel-unveils-Rafaels-new-advanced-bunker-buster-missile-Rocks-581201 |website=The Jerusalem Post |access-date=20 February 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190220211431/https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Israel-unveils-Rafaels-new-advanced-bunker-buster-missile-Rocks-581201 |archive-date=2019-02-20 |date=20 February 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Electronic Warfare Systems
** [[Sky Shield|SKY SHIELD]] Escort Jamming pod
** [[C-GEM]] Active Offboard Decoy
* Precision Guided missiles
** [[Spike (missile)|SPIKE ER]]
** [[Spike (missile)|SPIKE LR]]
** [[Spike (missile)|SPIKE NLOS]]
** [[Sea Breaker (missile)|Sea Breaker]]
* Missile upgrade kits
** Electro-optical Precision Integration Kit (EPIK)<ref name="ynetnews1">{{cite news|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5277924,00.html|title='Sharp Flame': Rafael's new rocket precision guidance system|author=Zitun , Yoav|work=[[Ynetnews]]|date=March 6, 2018|access-date=June 4, 2018}}</ref>
* Active Protection System
** [[Trophy (countermeasure)|TROPHY]] an active armor protection system, "Windbreaker" ([[Hebrew]]: מעיל רוח)
* Remote-controlled weapon station
** Rafael OWS (nicknamed "[[FN MAG|MAG Rafael]]" by the [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]])
** [[Samson RCWS]] ([[Hebrew]] name: קטלנית)
** [[Typhoon Weapon Station]] for naval applications and military ships
* [[Demining|Demining Systems]] 
** [[Rafael Carpet]]

== See also ==
{{Div col}} 
*[[Elbit]] (El-Op)
*[[Israel Aerospace Industries|Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI)]]
*[[Israel Military Industries]]
*[[Israel Shipyards]]
*[[Military equipment of Israel]]
*[[Soltam]]
{{Div col end}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

*''The bomb in the basement'', Michael Karpin, Ed Simon & Schuster. {{ISBN|978-0-7432-6595-9}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Official website|www.rafael.co.il|Rafael official website}}
*[http://www.rdc.co.il Rafael Development Corporation]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050129014441/http://www.eurosatory.mod.gov.il/pdfs/rafae1.pdf Rafael at EurpStory 2004]
*[http://www.rafael.co.il/web/rafnew/events/lic-05.htm Rafael at the LIC-2005 conference]
*[https://rafael-uk.com Rafael UK]
{{Rafael Advanced Defense Systems}}
{{Automotive industry in Israel}}

{{Authority control}}

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[[Category:Rafael Advanced Defense Systems| ]]
[[Category:Government-owned companies of Israel]]
[[Category:Defense companies of Israel]]
[[Category:Companies based in Haifa]]
[[Category:1948 establishments in Israel]]
[[Category:Companies established in 1948]]
[[Category:Unmanned surface vehicle manufacturers]]
[[Category:Haifa in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict]]