Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. presents- Spike LR2 of the Spike Family, a modern multipurpose precision guided missile. Rafael’s SPIKE LR2 5th Gen tactical multipurpose, multi-platform missile is engaging a tank in high trajectory top attack.Spike LR2 is the newest variant of the Spike family – a ‘long-range’ multi-purpose, tactical guided missile system effective against a variety of targets ranging to 5.5 km. Launched onto the international marketplace in mid-2017, Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has unveiled a previously unknown capability of the new Spike LR2 anti-tank guided missile (ATGM).
While the Spike LR2 was explained upon its debut as being available with two separate missiles with different warheads – a tandem high explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead suited to destroying main battle tanks and heavy armour and a new multipurpose blast warhead for defeating reinforced concrete fortifications – the company has revealed that the HEAT warhead also has a secondary ‘anti-structure’ capability. Designed into the warhead from inception, the ability of the HEAT missile to overcome basic structures was intended to meet customer demands for a dual-mode ATGM.
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 (called in Israel, Gil 2, גיל 2) has reduced weight to 12.7 kg (28 lb), increased range of 5.5 km (3.4 mi) at ground level and 10 km (6.2 mi) 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 IDF in October 2017.
Spike is an Israeli fourth generation man-portable fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile and anti-personnel missile with a tandem-charge HEAT warhead, developed and designed by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
As well as engaging and destroying targets within the line-of-sight of the launcher (“fire-and-forget”), some variants of the missile are capable of making a top-attack profile through a “fire, observe and update” guidance method; 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.
Australia selected the Israeli Spike LR2 multi-purpose guided missile to equip the new Boxer Combat Reconnaissance vehicles procured from Rheinmetall Defense under an A$2.1 billion Under project Land 400 Phase 2 contract. Australia is the second user to select the new LR2 version of the missile, following the Israel Defense Forces that placed an order for 2,000 in 2017. Rafael’s strategy is to join with local partners and establish capability in the local markets. For the Australian contract, RAFAEL teamed Varley Aerospace & Defense (VRA) of New South Wales, Australia.
