A Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopter of the US Army has successfully fired a Rafael Spike NLOS long-range air-to-surface missile in the first European demonstration of the capability.
The successful firing was conducted by the army’s 12th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) at Poland’s Ustka range, says the 12th CAB.
“The 12th Combat Aviation Brigade made history by conducting a live fire of the Spike Non-Line of Sight missile system in Ustka, Poland,” it says.
“This event marked the first employment of the missile in the European theater, and a significant increase in 12th CAB and the US Army’s lethality and combat capability.”
Rafael, which provides Spike to the US Army in partnership with Lockheed Martin, says the campaign saw two Spike NLOS missiles launched, with both achieving direct hits on maritime targets at 14nm (26km).
This is well beyond the range of the Apache’s typical missile armament, the Lockheed AGM-114 Hellfire. Public information suggests the Hellfire’s maximum range is 7nm.
Observers from 10 NATO allies attended the activity, according to Rafael.
In December 2023, Lockheed and the US Army staged a five-day test campaign during which eight Spike NLOS weapons were launched against static and moving ground vehicles, along with a mock-up of a SA-22 surface-to-air missile site. Those engagements were made from between close range and more than 16nm, including at night.
The 2023 activity also included demonstrating the weapon’s ability to automatically strike an intended target after its launch aircraft intentionally lost its communication link with the weapon.
Source link
A Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopter of the US Army has successfully fired a Rafael Spike NLOS long-range air-to-surface missile in the first European demonstration of the capability.
The successful firing was conducted by the army’s 12th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) at Poland’s Ustka range, says the 12th CAB.
“The 12th Combat Aviation Brigade made history by conducting a live fire of the Spike Non-Line of Sight missile system in Ustka, Poland,” it says.
“This event marked the first employment of the missile in the European theater, and a significant increase in 12th CAB and the US Army’s lethality and combat capability.”
Rafael, which provides Spike to the US Army in partnership with Lockheed Martin, says the campaign saw two Spike NLOS missiles launched, with both achieving direct hits on maritime targets at 14nm (26km).
This is well beyond the range of the Apache’s typical missile armament, the Lockheed AGM-114 Hellfire. Public information suggests the Hellfire’s maximum range is 7nm.
Observers from 10 NATO allies attended the activity, according to Rafael.
In December 2023, Lockheed and the US Army staged a five-day test campaign during which eight Spike NLOS weapons were launched against static and moving ground vehicles, along with a mock-up of a SA-22 surface-to-air missile site. Those engagements were made from between close range and more than 16nm, including at night.
The 2023 activity also included demonstrating the weapon’s ability to automatically strike an intended target after its launch aircraft intentionally lost its communication link with the weapon.
Source link
Share This:
admin
Plan the perfect NYC Memorial Day weekend
Pack only what you need and avoid overpacking to streamline the check-in and security screening…
LA’s worst traffic areas and how to avoid them
Consider using alternative routes, such as Sepulveda Boulevard, which runs parallel to the 405 in…
Saab discussing extra production hub to support Ukrainian Gripen E purchase
Saab is already looking at ways of significantly increasing production of its Gripen E fighter…
Denmark, Germany and NATO among sales prospects for GlobalEye surveillance aircraft, Saab chief executive says
European interest in Saab’s GlobalEye surveillance aircraft is continuing to build, as the Swedish company…
Ukraine exploring purchase of Bell AH-1Z attack and UH-1Y utility helicopters
Ukraine has signed a letter of intent with rotorcraft manufacturer Bell exploring the purchase of…
Italy plans to restore lapsed maritime patrol capability with six-aircraft buy
Italy has outlined plans to acquire six new maritime patrol aircraft capable of performing anti-submarine…
Stockholm Arlanda takes advantage of ‘EoR’ concept to increase parallel approach efficiency
Stockholm Arlanda is claiming to be the first European airport to introduce a concept intended…
Norway presses ahead with defence helicopter acquisitions, as talks continue with UK on ASW assets
Norway continues to analyse the options for a future anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter to equip…
Airbus Helicopters open to H225 Super Puma’s return for oil and gas operations
Airbus Helicopters is seeing renewed interest in its H225 Super Puma for offshore operations, almost…
Baykar’s Kizilelma UCAV soars through Aselsan AESA radar integration and weapons testing
Baykar Technologies’ Kizilelma unmanned combat air vehicle has been flown for the first time with…
First two Saab Gripen E fighters arrive for Swedish air force service at Satenas base
The Swedish air force has fielded its first Saab Gripen E fighters, with the new…
EASA foresees sufficient production capacity to meet EU’s 2030 sustainable fuel target
Sustainable aviation fuel in the European Union only accounted for 0.6% of the total uplift…