Lockheed Martin to sell Rafael Spike missiles to US Army | US defense giant Lockheed Martin successfully completed a trial for the US Army of Rafael’s Spike non-line of sight anti-tank missile, as part of a deal for the development and testing of precision-guided munitions.

https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-lockheed-martin-to-sell-rafael-spike-missiles-to-us-army-1001520801

Posted by NotSoSaneExile

3 comments

  1. Lockheed Martin completed successful trials of Israel’s Rafael’s Spike NLOS anti-tank missile for the US Army, leading to its selection. The missiles, launched from an American armored vehicle in Utah, hit all targets.

    Spike NLOS offers long-range precision strikes up to 32 km from land and 50 km from air and can be launched from 45 different platforms. It allows operators to adjust or cancel missions mid-flight.

    Rafael has sold about 50,000 Spike missiles worldwide, with 42 countries (including 20 NATO members) using them. The Lockheed deal includes integration into US vehicles and Apache helicopters.

  2. It is not surprising to see the US Army moving forward with the Spike system since it has been combat tested by so many NATO allies already. The non line of sight capability makes a big difference compared to the older systems that need direct view. Being able to fire from cover or even from behind terrain gives soldiers way more flexibility and safety. It also shows how much the US military is willing to integrate foreign developed weapons when they fill a gap faster than waiting for a domestic solution. Lockheed Martin putting their name on it basically guarantees it will scale up in production and get integrated with other platforms like helicopters and ground launchers.

    The interesting part is how this reflects the shift in modern warfare needs. With conflicts in Ukraine and the possibility of peer to peer fights, precision guided anti armor weapons that can reach further are suddenly a top priority again. The US already has Javelins but those are expensive and shorter range. Spike NLOS covers that middle ground with range and cost efficiency. It is another sign that the Army is preparing for high intensity conflict rather than just counter insurgency.

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