Spike (missile)

Spike (missile)
Spike (Hebrew: ספייק) is an Israeli fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile and anti-personnel missile with a tandem-charge high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead. , it is in its fourth generation. It was developed and designed by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. It is available in man-portable, vehicle-launched, and helicopter-launched variants.
The missile can engage and destroy targets within the line-of-sight of the launcher ("fire-and-forget"), and some variants can make a top attack through a "fire, observe and update" method (essentially lock-on after launch); the operator tracking the target, or switching to another target, optically through the trailing fiber-optic wire (or RF link in the case of the vehicle-mounted, long-range NLOS variant) while the missile is climbing to altitude after launch. This is similar to the lofted trajectory flight profile of the US FGM-148 Javelin.
Design
Spike is a fire-and-forget missile with lock-on before launch and automatic self-guidance. The missile is equipped with an imaging infrared seeker.
The long and extended range versions of the Spike also have the capability of "Fire, Observe and Update" operating mode (also known as Lock-on after launch (LOAL)). The missile is connected by a fiber-optical wire that is spooled out between the launch position and the missile. With this, the operator can obtain a target if it is not in the line of sight of the operator at launch, switch targets in flight, or compensate for the movement of the target if the missile is not tracking the target for some reason. Hence, the missile can be fired speculatively for a target of opportunity, or to provide observation on the other side of an obstacle. The missile has a soft launch capability – the motor firing after the missile has left the launcher – that allows the missile to be fired from confined spaces, which is a necessity in urban warfare.
The missile uses a tandem warhead consisting of two shaped charges: a precursor warhead to detonate any explosive reactive armor, and a primary warhead to penetrate the underlying armor. Currently, it is replacing aging semi-automatic command to line of sight second generation anti-tank missiles like the MILAN and M47 Dragon in the armies of the user nations. Spike missile is also equipped with heat chasing technology.
The Spike system is made up of the launching tripod with its fire control unit and the missile. There is no dedicated thermal sight on the launcher: the missile's imaging seeker is used. Altogether, the long range variant of the system weighs around .
Spike can be operated from the launcher by infantry, or from mounts that can be fitted to vehicles such as fast attack vehicles, armoured personnel carriers or utility vehicles. Vehicles that are not normally fitted with anti-tank weapons can therefore be given anti-tank capability.
Spike has been tested as a weapon system for the SAGEM Sperwer unmanned aerial vehicle. The Spanish Army has fitted the Spike-ER to its Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopters. Both Israel and the United States have experimented with arming Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters with the Spike missile; the US variant is used in UH-60M Battlehawk helicopters.
Marketing
In order to facilitate the selling of the weapon system in Europe, the company EuroSpike GmbH was formed in Germany. Its shareholders are Diehl Defence (40%), Rheinmetall Defence Electronics (40%) and Rafael via ERCAS B.V (20%). ERCAS B.V. is a Dutch holding company owned 100% by Rafael.
EuroSpike GmbH is located in Röthenbach, Germany. The European variant of the Spike weapon system differs a little from the Israeli version and is marketed under the name EuroSpike.
The missiles were also marketed and produced under license in Singapore by ST Engineering.
For other areas of the world, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. is solely responsible.
Variants
The reusable Command & launch unit (CLU), battery, tripod and the thermal sight are common for both MR and LR versions of the Spike missile family, each weighing , and respectively.
Spike-SR
The short range version of the weapon was unveiled in 2012 to give infantrymen a guided missile between the larger Spike-MR and unguided rockets. The missile is for a disposable munition for use at platoon-level whose minimum range is and whose maximum range is . It is equipped with a stiff-necked uncooled electro-optical infrared seeker and advanced tracker, as opposed to the gimballed seeker in the Spike MR/LR/ER versions. The Spike-SR does not require a separate sight, instead utilizing the low-cost thermal camera and guidance electronics strapped to the missile's nose to provide this function through a display integrated into the launcher, showing the target until launch. The warhead can either be a multi-purpose tandem shaped-charge warhead with blast-fragmentation effect or a new Penetration-Blast-Fragmentation (PBF) variant leveraged from the MATADOR's anti-structure warhead to equip maneuvering forces in urban environments to breach enemy cover and structures with a lethal blast effect. In May 2016 Rafael concluded deliveries of Spike-SR to its first export customer, later revealed to be the Singapore Armed Forces to replace the Carl Gustaf M2.
Spike-MR
The medium range version (Israeli designation: NT-Gil). The weight of the missile is , its minimum range is 200 m, while its maximum range is . It is used by infantry and special forces.
Spike-LR
Long range version (Israeli designation: NT-Spike). The weight of the missile is , and the weight of the complete system is less than . Maximum range is and it is used by infantry and light combat vehicles. It adds fiber-optic communication to and from the operator during flight. Reported armour penetration capability is more than of Rolled homogeneous armour (RHA). It is also deployed in Sentry Tech remotely controlled weapons stations along the Gaza border. In early 2014, Rafael revealed they had increased the range of the Spike-LR to , enhancing versatility on existing firing platforms and allowing it to be utilized on new ones like light helicopters.
Spike-LR II
A new generation of the original Spike-LR is in full-scale development and scheduled to be operational by the end of 2018. Spike-LR II (Israeli designation: Gil-2, גיל 2) has reduced weight to , increased range of at ground level and from helicopters using an RF data-link, warhead options of tandem HEAT with 30% increased armor penetration or a multipurpose blast warhead with selectable impact or penetration detonation fusing, a new seeker that includes an uncooled IR sensor with a smart target tracker with artificial intelligence features, the ability to fire on grid target coordinates using an inertial measurement unit for third party-target allocation, and is compatible with legacy launchers. The missile is designed with a counter-active protection system (CAPS) capability, being able to hit targets at higher impact angles of up to 70 degrees. First ordered by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in October 2017.
Spike-ER
Extended range or extra-long range version of the weapon (Israeli designation: NT-Dandy or NT-D). It has a minimum range of 400 m and a maximum range of . It has a larger diameter and is heavier than the other systems, and is usually vehicle mounted. It is used by infantry, Light Combat Vehicle (LCVs), and helicopters. The Finnish Navy's Coastal Jaegers and Philippine Navy's Multi-purpose Attack Craft Mk.III also operate this version in the anti-ship role. The weight of the missile is , the launchers are and respectively for the vehicle and air-launched versions. Penetration is around of RHA.
Spike-ER II
In August 2018, Rafael disclosed the development of an enhancement of the missile called the Spike-ER II. It retains the same weight, airframe, surface geometries, and propulsion unit but introduces a two-way RF data-link to increase real-time control to an extended range of from helicopters; it also has an extended fiber optic link to increase range to from land and naval platforms.
Spike NLOS
"Non Line Of Sight" is an ultra long-range version of the weapon (Israeli designation: Tamuz, תמוז), with a claimed maximum range of . It is a significantly larger missile than other Spike variants, with an overall weight of around . It can be launched from the ground or from helicopters. It was developed following lessons learned in the Yom Kippur War, which showed a need for a high-precision guided tactical ground-to-ground battlefield missile. The first variants entered service with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in tandem with the Pereh missile carrier in 1981, though the existence of both was not revealed to the public until 2011. The Spike NLOS uses a fiber optic link similar to other Spike versions, but only out to 8 km, after which it employs a radio data link for command guidance.
In 2011 it also became known that in a highly unusual move, the British Army was hastily equipped with the missile for counter-mortar fire, drawn directly from IDF inventory after being exposed to increasing insurgent attacks in Iraq, beginning in 2007 three variants of the NLOS were procured. A total of 600 missiles were acquired, the breakdown being 200 optical camera equipped NLOS MK.2 in 2007, 200 thermal imaging equipped NLOS MK.4 in 2008 for night operations (together with the MK.2 these were known as EXACTOR-1), 200 dual camera equipped NLOS MK.5 (EXACTOR-2) followed in 2009 which featured wings for slower but better maneuvering flight and a multi-purpose warhead replacing the anti-armor warhead of previous versions. For operational security, the codename of 'EXACTOR missile' was assigned in British service and it was initially mounted on launchers atop leased M113 APCs. The MK.2 performed badly being too fast and difficult to control, the M113 overheated in the desert and had a poor resolution camera display that compared unfavorably with its contemporaries. So Britain financed the development of the Mk. 5 known in British service as the EXACTOR 2 which replaced the M113 APC with a towed trailer known as SPARC holding four missiles in a 360-degree rotating turret that could be remotely controlled up to 500m away ditching the non-standard M113 APCs altogether when in 2010 the batteries were transferred from Iraq to Afghanistan.
In a deal concluded on 6 September 2011, the South Korean government had agreed to purchase an unknown number of Mk. 5 Spike NLOS missiles.
Rafael is working on expanding the missile's versatility by enhancing the existing EO-IR/CCD seeker with semi-active laser (SAL) capability and different anti-armor, blast-penetration, and high-explosive fragmentation warheads to meet specific applications.
In 2020 the US Army announced its intention to procure Spike NLOS missiles to be mounted on Apache helicopters. A test was conducted in March 2021 where an AH-64E fired a Spike NLOS at a target away and scored a direct hit.
In June 2022, Rafael unveiled the Spike NLOS 6th generation with range increased to , a salvo feature which can launch up to four missiles at a time, and the ability to hand over control after firing to another platform. It also has a Target Image Acquisition capability that can prioritize important targets for strike, and can be carried by strategic UAVs in the Heron-TP-class.
Mini-Spike
On 2 September 2009, at an IDF exhibition held at the third Latrun annual land warfare conference, the Israeli Defense Force unveiled a new member of the Spike family of missiles – the Mini Spike Anti-personnel guided weapon (APGW). Rafael claimed that this latest member of the Spike family of missile costs and weighed only a third of the Spike-LR at , while offering a longer engagement range of when compared to the Spike-SR. It was to introduce new flight modes to enable precision strikes in urban areas, such as flying through windows or attacking an enemy hidden behind defilade or obstacles using non-line-of-sight engagement. Mini Spike would use the same launcher and sight system of the Spike-LR, loading the missile on a special adaptor. By 2016, Mini-Spike development had been discontinued.
Almas
Iran received Israeli Spike-MRs captured during the 2006 Lebanon War by Hezbollah fighters. An unlicensed variant that goes by the name of Almas.
The ATGM was unveiled in public on July 7, 2021.
Aerospike
In May 2022, Rafael unveiled the Aerospike, a version of the Spike-LR II designed to be launched from fixed-wing aircraft. Weighing 14 kg and utilizing the same airframe, EO/IR seekers and warheads as the Spike-LR II, it features longer wings to give it an improved glide ratio for a range of when launched from . The munition does not require GPS to navigate, incorporating scene-matching technology and detection and tracking capabilities. A real-time RF data-link allows for man-in-the-loop operation enabling mid-flight target handover, re-targeting and abort options while also controlling approach angle, azimuth and flight trajectory, achieving accuracy within 3 meters of the target with a HEAT or blast fragmentation warhead. By the time of public announcement, the Aerospike was already in service with unnamed users.
Operators
Spike-LR II selected by the Australian Army in 2018
LAND 159, for dismounted infantry
LAND 400-2, equipping the 211 Boxer CRV with LANCE turret
LAND 400-3, equipping the 129 K21 Redback
Total 350 Spike-LR and 250 Spike-NLOS missiles, some of which are mounted on the Plasan Sand Cat, and Mil Mi-17.
240 Spike-MR/LR missiles ordered in 2013, delivery completed in 2015.
100 Spike-LR missiles ordered in November 2021.
Spike-MR/LR ordered in 2022
Spike-LR missiles since 2016.
Total 2,200 Spike-MR/LR/ER missiles, for use on modernised Marder IFVs.
Total 85 Spike-LR/ER and 110 Spike-NLOS missiles. The Colombian Air Force's fleet of Sikorsky AH-60L Arpía IV-series helicopters are armed with three variants of the Spike: the ER, LR and NLOS.
Croatia has ordered 20 Spike LRII launchers for its Patria AMV armored vehicles. However this is initial order, talks of 72 additional launchers for 27 brand new Patria IFVs that are on order and to join Croatian Army from 2023 to 2026. Croatia ordered 200 Spike LR2 missiles initially for $1.25 million. Croatia made further order for Spike LR II missiles and plans to order further 72 Spike LR launchers as part of new Patria order. No indication of how many additional Spike LR II missiles Croatia intends to purchase, but Croatian defence minister stated that it'll be ongoing and recurring order as Army spends older missiles during exercises, stated requirements are for at least 576 missiles, it is estimated Croatian Army currently has around 200 missiles in its inventory. Spike SR/MR Missiles are being ruled out as Croatian army opted for Javelin missile to equip its infantry formations.
Total 500 Spike-LR missiles, for use on KBVP IFVs.
Spike-LR II To be integrated in the Royal Danish Army from 2021 to 2025. Will be used by infantry and from Protector Remote Weapon Station.
Total 244 missiles, delivered October 2009.
18 Spike-LR II launchers bought from EuroSpike GmbH. More than 500 Spike-SR systems purchased in 2022.
Total 900 missiles, breakdown being 300 Spike-MR, 200 Spike-LR with the remaining 400 being Spike-ER. 100 MR (Panssarintorjuntaohjusjärjestelmä 2000) launchers plus an option for 70 more, and 18 ER (Rannikko-ohjus 2006) launchers for coastal anti-ship use. Also Spike-LR missiles as a newer purchase. In December 2022 Finland ordered additional Spike SR, LR2 and ER2 missiles for 223.6 MEUR.
As of August 2023, the Bundeswehr ordered 4426 Spike-LR, 179 launcher units for the infantry, and the launchers for the 350 Puma.
2008, contract with EuroSpike to integrate the Spike-LR MELLS to the Puma IFV
2009, framework agreement for 311 ICLU with Rafael and Eurospike as the Spike is also selected to be used by Infantry detached personal, special forces and to be mounted on a tripod temporarily on the Puma IFV until its full system integration (€35 million)
December 2011, 1,160 MELLS missiles ordered (€119.3 million)
March 2017, €158.4 million order which includes
1,000 MELLS missiles (€112.4 million)
97 launcher units (€25.6 million, 214 ICLU remaining from the initial framework agreement)
Integration to Bundeswehr's laser based training and simulation system AGDUS (€20.3 million)
November 2019, framework agreement with EuroSpike GmbH for 11,500 missiles, 214 launcher units, storage containers. Out of the agreement, the orders include:
1,500 MELLS missiles in November 2019
666 MELLS missiles and 82 launcher units in March 2021 for €88 million
In April 2023, Greece ordered 17 Spike-NLOS systems on 4x4 vehicles, plus more on 9 AH-64 Apache helicopters and 4 Machitis-class gunboats.
Spike-LR II for Lynx armoured fighting vehicles.
Defense News reported that the Indian Army wanted to order Spike missiles and peripheral equipment in a $1 billion deal. Indian Ministry of Defence officials told the magazine that the order is for 321 launchers, 8,356 missiles, 15 training simulators, and peripheral equipment. In October 2014, India chose to buy the Spike over the U.S. Javelin. India's state-owned Bharat Dynamics Limited will be the systems integrator for the missiles with major work share for manufacture to be handled by Bharat Dynamics and Kalyani Group. On 20 November 2017, it was announced that the deal was cancelled due to lack of transfer of technology. The DRDO has been instructed to produce an indigenous missile. However, Indian media sources have reported that the contract will proceed as part of a restructured government to government agreement. In April 2019, following the 2019 border skirmishes with Pakistan, the Indian Army approved an emergency purchase of 240 Spike MR missiles and 12 launchers to meet immediate requirements, which were inducted into service in early October 2019.
Unlicensed clone as Almas. Reverse engineered Spike-MR with modifications. Originally captured by Hezbollah during the 2006 Lebanon War and given to Iran.
The Spike NLOS (Tammuz) was introduced into service in the early 1980s.
In 1997, the Spike MR (Gil), LR (Gomed), ER (Perakh Bar) with associated launchers entered service.
Total 1,490 Spike-LR and 750 Spike-ER missiles (with associated launchers and training systems), Spike-LR are for use on Dardo IFV, Freccia IFV and VTLM Lince while Spike-ER are for use by AH-129 Mangusta attack helicopters. In July 2023, a contract for €143 million running from 2023 to 2030 was passed to supply Spike LR2 to the Italian Army and the Navy.
Total 12 Spike-LR. Additional order in February 2018.
Total 1,000 Spike-LR missiles delivered, for use on Boxer armored vehicles.
Total 2,400+ Spike-MR missiles (including 297 launchers and associated training systems) ordered in 2001, deliveries began in 2006 and was completed by 2011. A total of 237 launchers and 1,974 missiles was assigned to the Royal Netherlands Army, while the remaining 60 launchers and 459 missiles was assigned to the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps. The first weapon was actually issued in 2004 to the Regiment van Heutsz.
Total 516 Spike-LR and 175 Spike-ER missiles (including 48 launchers).
The Philippine Navy operates the missiles. Spike-ER variant for the missile-capable versions of its Multipurpose Assault Crafts. Spike-NLOS are for the Navy's AW159 Wildcat helicopters and upcoming Acero-class fast attack interdiction crafts.
A total of 2,675 Spike-LR missiles (with 264 launchers and training systems) were ordered in 2003 in a deal worth $425 million with deliveries completed by 2013. A follow-up order of 800 more Spike-LR missiles for use on Rosomak IFVs, in a deal including local production in Poland, was placed in 2015 with deliveries between 2019 and 2022.
Total 3,000 missiles; breakdown being 2,000 Spike-LR (for use on MLI-84M IFVs) with the remaining 1,000 being Spike-ER (for use on IAR 330 SOCAT attack helicopters). An unspecified number of portable Spike-LR are also in service.
In 1999, Singapore became the second country to acquire the Spike ATGM. Total 1,500 Spike-LR missiles (with associated launchers and training systems) received between 2001 and 2006. Between 2017 and 2018, another 500 Spike-SR was received as the new generation anti-tank guided missile for its infantry battalions. Spikes variants are produced locally by ST Engineering. The Hunter AFV of the Singapore Army is equipped with a twin tube pop-up launcher. There has been further orders for the Spike-LR II for use on the Hunter AFV and infantry units.
Spike-LR II (100 missiles, 10 launchers).
Spike-MR/LR has been in operational use in the Slovenian Armed Forces since 2009. Total 75 missiles. Some will be on Patria AMVs. In September 2022, EuroSpike was awarded a $6.6 million contract to supply 50 Spike LR2s.
The Swiss Armed Forces selected the Spike LR-II as its long-range anti-tank guided missile system for ground troops in 2023. It will replace the TOW ATGM.
Under a deal reached in 2020, the Royal Thai Army took delivery of the Spike-MR missiles and launchers. Spike-MR was a contender along with Javelin.
A South Korean government deal concluded on 6 September 2011 confirmed the procurement of unspecified numbers of Spike NLOS, of which about 50 missiles will be forward deployed to the South Korean islands of Baengnyeongdo and Yeonpyeongdo, close to the Northern Limit Line with North Korea. On 19 May 2013 the South Korean military confirmed that "dozens" of Spike missiles had been deployed on the islands. The Republic of Korea Navy will also deploy the Spike NLOS on AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat helicopters, and the Republic of Korea Marine Corps has the Spike NLOS mounted on Plasan Sand Cat light vehicle.
Total 2,630 Spike-LR (including 260 launchers and associated training systems) and 200 Spike-ER missiles (for use by Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopters). A total of 236 launchers and 2,360 Spike-LR missiles was assigned to the Spanish Army, while the remaining 24 launchers and 240 missiles was assigned to the Spanish Marines.
600 Spike-NLOS missiles were procured by the British Army, the exact breakdown being 200 NLOS MK.2, 200 NLOS MK.4 and 200 NLOS MK.5 ordered in the years 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. In British service it has the name 'Exactor'.
The Spike was offered by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems as a possible contender in the US Army JAWS missile program in 1996. In January 2020, the Army revealed it would field the Spike NLOS on AH-64 Apache helicopters as an interim solution to acquire a longer range stand-off weapon.
Evaluations
In January 1998, a partnership arrangement was announced between Israel Aerospace Industries and Kamov to market the Kamov Ka-50-2 attack helicopter in Turkish competition. One of the optional armaments being offered for the Ka-50-2 was the Spike-ER missile. Eventually, Ka-50-2 lost to TAI/AgustaWestland T129 ATAK. Turkey has also examined the use of Rafael Overhead Weapon Station with Spike for its Otokar Cobra light armored vehicles.
In February 2001, the British MoD awarded two contracts valued at $8.8 million for a year-long assessment of the Javelin and Spike-MR. The Spike was being offered by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems teamed with Matra BAe Dynamics, while the Javelin was being offered by a team of Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. The UK would like to field a lightweight antitank missile system for its Joint Rapid Reaction Force by 2005. In February 2003, the British MoD selected the Javelin.
Failed bids
A total of 2 Spike LR launchers would be fitted on Portuguese Marine Corps Pandur II IFV APC's, but the program was cancelled due to problems between the Portuguese government, Steyr-Daimler-Puch and Fabrequipa (local Pandur II manufacturer).
See also
Akeron MP
ALAS (missile)
AT-1K Raybolt
HJ-12
MPATGM
OMTAS
Sadid-1
Stugna-P
Type 01 LMAT
References
External links
Official website – Rafael Advanced Defence System, for worldwide marketing
Official website – EuroSpike GmbH, for marketing in Europe
Singapore Army's facsheet on Spike ATGM
Defense-Update.Com's webpage on Spike
Spike anti-tank anti-armour guided missile on armyrecognition.com
Rafael Spike Missile
Video links
by Finnish Coastal Jäger troops of the Finnish Navy
Anti-tank guided missiles of Israel
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
Television guided weapons
Military equipment introduced in the 1980s
Fire-and-forget weapons