Complex threats and capability gaps challenge national security and critical industries, demanding innovative, reliable, and localized solutions. The need for proven technologies that seamlessly integrate into American systems has never been greater. Yet, transforming cutting-edge advancements into practical, accessible tools remains a hurdle. This calls for a partner who turns obstacles into opportunities, delivering excellence with precision and trust. Rafael Systems Global Sustainment (RSGS) rises to this challenge, bringing battle-tested expertise and a relentless commitment to empower the U.S. Government and commercial sectors, ensuring a future where security and progress succeed.

RSGS, a U.S.-based subsidiary and authorized broker for Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, closes critical capability gaps with proven solutions. The company Americanize Rafael’s state-of-the-art technologies, delivering intellectual property, engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain management tailored for America. Organized into three units—Land and Naval Systems, Spike Family of Missiles, and Counter UAS and Air and Missile Defense—RSGS serves U.S. Defense, Interagency, Federal, and State markets with precision and reliability.

At CIO Bulletin, we had the privilege of interviewing Joseph Anderson, President and CEO of RSGS. Mr. Anderson shared valuable insights on how his skilled team, guided by a bold vision to deliver exceptional products and services builds trust, promotes readiness, and focuses on creating a safer, stronger future.

Interview Highlights

Can you share the inspiring story behind the inception of RSGS? What sparked the vision to bring Rafael Advanced Defense Systems’ proven technologies to the North American market, and how has that vision evolved?

The inception of RSGS was driven by the vision to bring Rafael Advanced Defense Systems’ combat-proven technologies to the U.S. market in a way that supports national security priorities and fills critical capability gaps. As a U.S.-based, FOCI-mitigated, proxy-led company, RSGS serves as the conduit for “Americanizing” Rafael’s products by adapting intellectual property, engineering, and manufacturing processes to meet U.S. standards.

RSGS is organized into three core business units—SPIKE Family of Missiles, Land & Naval Systems, and Air & Missile Defense/Counter-UAS—and supports both the U.S. government and commercial sectors. We provide integrated product and service offerings, including support for Rafael’s existing U.S. contracts and direct participation in modernization initiatives.

Since our founding, RSGS has advanced significantly. We’ve secured key contracts, including a $10M JADC2 data management award, and demonstrated superior performance through programs like AEWE, ISOF Range Week, and Firefly loitering munition evaluations. We’re also preparing to field the first Stryker Brigade with our advanced turret system in 2025.

We have strengthened our compliance posture—completing GCC High migration, launching CMMC 2.0, achieving ISO 9001 certification, and delivering the first MAF-compliant Active Protection System. These milestones reflect RSGS’s evolution into a trusted, capable partner in the U.S. defense landscape.

RSGS’s three business units—Land and Naval Systems, Spike Family of Missiles, and Counter UAS and Air and Missile Defense—form a powerful triad. How do these units collaborate to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that bridge critical capability gaps for the US Government and commercial sectors?

RSGS’s three business units—Land & Naval Systems, SPIKE Family of Missiles, and Counter-UAS/Air & Missile Defense—collaborate seamlessly to deliver integrated, combat-proven solutions that address key operational gaps across the U.S. government and commercial sectors.

Together, these units provide layered, interoperable capabilities tailored to multi-domain operations. The SPIKE Family of 5th-generation electro-optical missiles offers unmatched precision and lethality across land, sea, and air platforms. The Medium Caliber Weapon System, featuring the 30mm Samson turret, enhances firepower, mobility, and survivability—supporting the modernization of platforms like the Stryker ICV. In parallel, the Trophy Active Protection System safeguards armored units with real-time threat detection and neutralization.

Completing the triad, the Drone Dome Counter-UAS system delivers a comprehensive, scalable defense against unmanned threats with both soft- and hard-kill capabilities.

Through strategic collaboration and system integration, RSGS ensures these advanced technologies work in concert to strengthen deterrence, improve survivability, and deliver decisive overmatch to the warfighter.

RSGS offers a diverse range of cutting-edge products, from TROPHY and DRONE DOME to SPIKE and FIRE WEAVER. Can you provide an overview of how these products collectively address the evolving needs of the US Defense, Interagency, and commercial markets?

RSGS delivers a suite of advanced defense solutions—SPIKE, TROPHY, DRONE DOME, and FIRE WEAVER—designed to meet the evolving operational demands of the U.S. defense, interagency, and commercial markets.

The SPIKE Precision Tactical Guided Missile Family provides 5th-generation electro-optical precision for land, sea, and air platforms, delivering unmatched lethality and survivability. The Medium Caliber Weapon System, centered on the 30mm Samson turret, enhances accuracy and protection for armored vehicles like the Stryker ICV. TROPHY, the world’s only fully operational Active Protection System, offers decisive defense for armored forces against anti-tank threats. The DRONE DOME Counter-UAS system provides comprehensive 360° protection with both soft- and hard-kill capabilities, ensuring rapid, accurate response with minimal collateral damage.

Beyond these capabilities, RSGS is advancing U.S. industrial readiness through a Public-Private Partnership with the Joint Munitions Command and the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant to co-produce the SPIKE missile system domestically. This collaboration supports the Army’s Organic Industrial Base, reinforces critical manufacturing skillsets, and ensures timely delivery of advanced munitions to the warfighter—aligned with the Army’s modernization goals for 2030 and beyond.

Together, these systems reflect RSGS’s commitment to delivering integrated, future-ready solutions across defense and national security domains.

A key objective of RSGS is to “Americanize” Rafael’s technologies through intellectual property, engineering, and manufacturing. What unique challenges and opportunities have you encountered in this process, and how does it strengthen US defense and industry?

“Americanizing” Rafael’s technologies is central to RSGS’s mission, presenting both strategic challenges and transformative opportunities that directly strengthen U.S. defense capabilities and industrial resilience.

Our approach centers on three key lines of effort: intellectual property storage, engineering customization, and domestic manufacturing. Collaborating with U.S. partners like C4ATS, PVP, and Parsons, we are embedding American-made components, software, and integration processes into systems such as the SPIKE missile, TROPHY APS, and Drone Dome Counter-UAS.

Key challenges include navigating complex regulatory frameworks, aligning system architectures with U.S. standards, and scaling production within the U.S. industrial base. Yet, these challenges have also created opportunities to advance interoperability, enhance supply chain security, and contribute to the organic industrial base.

Through initiatives such as the joint production of SPIKE, support for the USMC Medium-Range Intercept Capability, and the TAMIR missile for IFPC Increment 2, we are not only adapting combat-proven technologies but also enabling cost-effective, scalable solutions for future force requirements. This process reinforces U.S. readiness while building enduring industrial partnerships that support modernization across services.

The term “Global Sustainment” in your name suggests a commitment to long-term support and resilience. How does RSGS ensure the sustainability of its solutions, from supply chain management to lifecycle support, in an ever-evolving defense landscape?

The “Global Sustainment” in our name reflects RSGS’s enduring commitment to delivering resilient, lifecycle-ready defense solutions that evolve with the operational environment.

Backed by over 70 years of innovation from our parent company Rafael, we prioritize long-term sustainability through robust supply chain integration, agile engineering, and proactive lifecycle support. Our systems are grounded in real-world operational feedback, enabling us to rapidly adapt to emerging threats and mission requirements.

We work closely with U.S. partners to localize production, ensure parts availability, and provide responsive support services—enhancing readiness and reducing total ownership costs. Whether through co-production of the SPIKE missile, fielding of the TROPHY APS, or integration of Drone Dome solutions, our focus remains on delivering reliable, cost-effective capabilities that perform now and endure into the future.

This approach positions RSGS as a trusted, forward-looking partner in sustaining U.S. defense effectiveness over the long term.

Mr. Joe Anderson, your global experience spans military leadership, business consulting, and nonprofit service. If you could solve one global defense or societal challenge in the next five years, what would it be, and how would RSGS contribute to that solution?

If I could solve one global defense or societal challenge in the next five years, it would be to strengthen U.S. defense self-sufficiency through sustained industrial resilience and technology integration.

With deep experience across military leadership, private industry, and public service, my vision for RSGS is clear: to become a fully self-reliant, profit-and-loss company that leads in closing capability gaps for U.S. defense and government agencies. Under my direction, RSGS is “Americanizing” Rafael’s combat-proven technologies through focused efforts in IP/data control, engineering services, and domestic manufacturing.

This vision is being realized through key initiatives—such as the Public-Private Partnership with Joint Munitions Command, integration of U.S.-manufactured components from partners like C4ATS and PVP, and the establishment of Engineering Services and Software Integration Labs to support critical platforms like the SPIKE missile, TROPHY APS, and Medium Caliber Weapon Station.

By building enduring U.S.-based production and innovation capacity, RSGS is directly contributing to the long-term sustainability, agility, and independence of American defense—a challenge I am committed to addressing head-on.

RSGS has positioned itself as a leader in delivering tested and proven technological solutions. What sets RSGS apart as a contender for Global Best Companies of 2025, particularly in terms of innovation and impact?

RSGS stands out as a contender for Global Best Companies of 2025 through its relentless focus on innovation, operational impact, and strategic partnerships that deliver real-world solutions to urgent defense and security challenges.

RSGS has applied Rafael’s battle-proven technologies to diverse U.S. missions—from tunnel detection along the southern border and hurricane damage assessment in Florida to networked Counter-UAS solutions supporting homeland and battlefield defense. These efforts demonstrate the company’s agility in adapting military-grade solutions to both defense and civil applications.

RSGS also leads in strengthening the U.S. industrial base. Through a Public-Private Partnership with McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, RSGS facilitated the domestic production of the SPIKE missile system to help address anti-tank stockpile shortages amid global conflict. In parallel, multiple CRADAs with key Army R&D centers have advanced AI crew simulation, position tracking, and active protection technologies.

With recognition through a $10M JADC2 contract award, repeated success at SOF Range Week, and proven performance at U.S. testing ranges, RSGS continues to distinguish itself as a trusted, high-impact innovator—uniquely positioned to shape the future of integrated defense capabilities.

As RSGS continues to grow its footprint in North America and beyond, what legacy do you hope to leave in the defense industry, and how do you envision being remembered in the Global Best Companies of 2025 narrative?

RSGS aims to be remembered not just as a provider of advanced defense solutions, but as a transformative force in the defense industry. Our legacy is built on innovation, operational excellence, and an unwavering commitment to national security.

Key Pillars of Our Legacy:

1. Innovation and Technological Edge: RSGS consistently delivers cutting-edge systems—like the SPIKE missile family, TROPHY Active Protection System, and DRONE DOME Counter-UAS—to meet evolving threats. Our integration of advanced capabilities ensures our solutions remain at the forefront of defense technology.
2. Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations with the Joint Munitions Command, McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, and DEVCOM have strengthened the U.S. industrial base and embedded our technologies in core defense systems.
3. Sustainability and Lifecycle Support: True to our “Global Sustainment” ethos, we ensure long-term reliability through robust supply chain integration, lifecycle services, and readiness-focused support.
4. Operational Impact: From enhancing border security to aiding disaster response, RSGS technologies have proven effective across diverse real-world missions.

As we expand across North America and beyond, RSGS seeks recognition in the Global Best Companies of 2025 as a leader in defense innovation, a trusted national security partner, and a company making a lasting mark on global defense.

The Stalwart Leader Empowering Defense Excellence

Joseph Anderson is the President and CEO of RSGS, appointed in November 2019 after a distinguished 38-year U.S. Army career. As former Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans, and Training (G-3/5/7), he led 1.2 million Soldiers across 182 countries with a $26B operational budget. His military leadership, spanning company to corps-level command, reflects a legacy of global operational excellence.

At RSGS, Mr. Anderson built the company into a FOCI-mitigated, 19-person proxy subsidiary of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. Under his leadership, revenue grew from $1.5M to $5.5M post-COVID. He secured Other Transaction Authorities, joined 11 defense consortiums, and registered RSGS as a DoD SkillBridge provider to drive innovation.

Mr. Anderson also serves on several corporate and nonprofit boards, including as Chairman of 4C Strategies and Our Community Salutes. His leadership shapes the defense industry through strategic partnerships, workforce development, and a strong commitment to national security.

“With deep experience across military leadership, private industry, and public service, my vision for RSGS is clear: to become a fully self-reliant, profit-and-loss company that leads in closing capability gaps for U.S. defense and government agencies.”