Israel’s SPIKE NLOS goes global as US Army fires advanced munition in Iraq

Carried out by the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, the US Army tested the weapon last week. According to a release by America’s military, “This milestone event occurred during the unit’s deployment to the Middle East in support of the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR).”

The military said that an aircrew assigned to the 2nd Squadron and the 17th Cavalry Squadron piloted an Apache helicopter to test the launcher and weapons processor in the US Central Command’s (USCENTCOM) area of operations.

“Today’s achievement underscores the critical role army aviation plays in enabling a lasting defeat of ISIS,” said Col. Tyler B. Partridge, the commander of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade.

“The Spike NLOS missile dramatically extends our reach and precision, providing our ground force commanders with a decisive advantage. This live fire validates our training and demonstrates our commitment to delivering world-class aviation support to CJTF-OIR. With this success, we maintain our position as the most sought-after aviation force in the US Army.”

They provide pinpoint accuracy in hitting their mark at extended ranges, including against non-line-of-sight targets with the NLOS variant that can be launched from air, land, or naval platforms. Able to be operated in both offensive and defensive scenarios, it provides real-time tactical intelligence and damage assessment, allowing it to be adjusted to targets or abort missions mid-flight.

According to Rafael, the sixth generation of the Spike NLOS has several new enhanced capabilities, including technology that allows troops to close the sensor-to-shooter loop quicker and to more efficiently neutralize swam attacks from standoff ranges.

The sixth-generation Spike NLOS is reported to have an extended range of up to 50 km. When launched from a helicopter, it can travel up to 32km. when fired from land or naval platforms. It can also overcome anti-access and area-denial targets without compromising its accuracy, efficiency, or lethality.

Control over the sixth-generation missile can be transferred between battlefield platforms mid-flight, allowing for uninterrupted operational pace and seamless collaboration between systems.

For example, suppose a helicopter launches the missile but flies out of the area. In that case, a ground vehicle in the same attack zone vicinity can take control of it and navigate the rocket toward the target instead.

Rafael’s image-matching capabilities have also been integrated into the missile to enable swift aerial image transfers. A single operator and launcher can fire and control up to four missiles simultaneously, allowing for the element of surprise against enemy forces.

The campaign was organized under the direction of the US Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF), which deployed AH-64E Apaches from the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, headquartered in Ansbach, Germany, to Poland for training and evaluation.

Further, the exercise was hosted by the Polish National Defense Ministry (MoND) with participation from the Polish Armed Forces’ General Staff agency and the Inspectorate of the Polish Air Force.

Observers from over 10 allied nations, including Italy, the UK, Germany, Canada, and the Netherlands, attended the event, alongside senior commanders from multiple NATO air forces.

During the campaign, two Spike NLOS missiles were launched from a US Army AH-64E Apache at maritime targets, achieving direct hits at a 26-kilometer range.

According to a release obtained by The Jerusalem Post, senior US and Polish military officials said that “integrating Spike NLOS onto the Apache platform enhances rotary-wing aviation with extended standoff engagement and precision strike capabilities.”

They further noted “the potential of the system as part of Poland’s future AH-64E fleet.”

“The demonstration underscored the growing cooperation between the US and Poland in advancing allied interoperability and long-range precision strike capabilities,” the release said.

As the developer and manufacturer of Spike NLOS, Rafael provided technical expertise, integration support, and operational know-how throughout the campaign.

In a statement provided to the Post, the company said that it was committed to “supporting the Polish Armed Forces in every capability-building process they choose to pursue, including through cooperation with Poland’s defense industry.”

Last week, the US Army announced that it had selected the Spike NLOS for its mobile, long-range precision strike capability to be used from ground vehicles by infantry brigade combat teams (IBCTs).

According to a report in Army Technology Magazine, Lockheed Martin, an American production company, will team up with Rafael to introduce the capability to the US defense market.

The report added that the US Army tested the ammunition’s capabilities at the Dugway Proving Grounds military base in Utah, where operators fired three shots, all of which resulted in direct hits, including one unobstructed and two obstructed targets.

The Spike has been sold in its various versions to 45 countries worldwide, including 20 NATO forces. The munition has been produced, supplied, and integrated onto as many as 45 different platforms, including 10 types of helicopters, ground vehicles, and marine vessels.

Last week, Greece received the first batch of 17 Spike NLOS systems that are slated to be integrated into anti-tank companies of the mechanized infantry battalions of the Hellenic Armed Forces.

The IDF has thousands of Spike missiles, including specially customized Spike SR rocket launchers for its infantry forces, which have a reduced weight of 40% to provide greater flexibility to troops in the field during land maneuvers. It is also in use by the Israel Air Force and the navy.