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Spike (missile)

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Spike
SPIKE ATGM Command & launcher unit (CLU) with mock-up SPIKE LR missile mounted on a tripod at Singapore Army Open House 2007
TypeAnti-tank missile
Place of originIsrael
Service history
In service1997 - Present
Used bySee Users
WarsSecond Intifada, 2006 Lebanon War, War in Afghanistan (2001–present), Gaza War
Production history
Designed1987
ManufacturerRafael Advanced Defense Systems
Diehl BGT Defence (Now part of Rheinmetall Defence Electronics)
Produced1997 - Present
VariantsSee versions
Specifications
MassSpike-ER from helicopter:

• Missile in canister: 34 kg (74 lb 15 oz)
• Launcher: 55 kg (121 lb 4 oz)
• Launcher + 4 missiles: 187 kg (412 lb 4 oz)
Spike-MR/LR from ground:[1]
• Missile round: 14 kg (30 lb 14 oz)
• Command & launch unit (CLU): 5 kg (11 lb 0 oz)
• Tripod: 2.8 kg (6 lb 3 oz)
• Battery: 1 kg (2 lb 3 oz)

• Thermal sight: 4 kg (8 lb 13 oz)
Length1,670 mm (5 ft 6 in) (Missile w/launcher)
Diameter170 mm (6.7 in) (Missile w/launcher)
Rate of fireReady to launch in 30 seconds, reload in 15 seconds
Maximum firing range800 to 25,000 m (870 to 27,340 yd) depending on version
Sights10× optical sight
WarheadTandem-charge HEAT warhead
Detonation
mechanism
Impact
EngineSolid-fuel rocket
Guidance
system
Infrared homing - Electro Optical (CCD, IR or Dual CCD/IIR), Passive CCD or dual CCD/IIR seeker

Spike is a fourth generation[2] man-portable fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile with tandem-charged HEAT warhead, developed and designed by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and in service with a number of nations.

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;[2] the operator tracking the target, or switching to another target, optically through the trailing fiber-optic wire 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

Cut away diagram of Spike ATGM.
Frontal close-up of the SPIKE missile's Command & launch unit (CLU) with thermal-imagining sight, tripod mount and an attached dummy missile canister.

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 medium, long and extended range versions of the Spike also have the capability of "Fire, Observe and Update" operating mode. 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- which allows for the missile to be fired from confined spaces, which is a necessity in urban warfare.

The missile uses a tandem warhead - 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 second generation anti-tank missiles like the MILAN and M47 Dragon in the armies of the user nations.

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 26 kilograms (57 lb)*

Spike can be operated from the launcher by infantry, or from mounts that can be fitted to vehicles such as fast attack vehicles, armored 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.[3][4]

Marketing

In order to ease the selling of the weapon system in Europe, the company EuroSpike GmbH was formed in Germany. Its shareholders Diehl BGT 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 Spike weapon system differs a little from the Israeli version and is then marketed under the name EuroSpike.[5]

While for worldwide marketing, the job is solely bored by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.[6]

Variants

Spike-SR
the short range version of the weapon, minimum range is 200 m (660 ft) while the maximum range is 800 m (2,600 ft) and is intended for infantry use. The reusable Command & launch unit (CLU), battery, tripod and the thermal sight are also used by other land-based versions (with the exception of Spike NLOS) of the Spike missile family, each weighing 5 kg (11 lb 0 oz), 1 kg (2 lb 3 oz), 2.8 kg (6 lb 3 oz), and 4 kg (8 lb 13 oz) respectively.[1]
Spike-MR
the medium range version. The weight of the missile is 14 kg (30 lb 14 oz), minimum range is 200 m (660 ft) while the maximum range is 2,500 m (8,200 ft) and is used by infantry and special forces.[7]
Israeli soldier with Gil type Spike launcher
Spike-LR
long range version. The weight of the missile is 14 kg (30 lb 14 oz), maximum range is 4,000 m (13,000 ft) and is used by infantry and light combat vehicles. It adds fiber-optic communication to and from the launching soldier during flight.[8] Reported armour penetration capability is more than 700 mm (28 in) of Rolled homogeneous armour (RHA).[9]
Spike-ER
extended range or extra long range version of the weapon. It was formerly also known as the NT-Dandy or NT-D. It has a maximum range of 8,000 m (26,000 ft).[10] It has a larger diameter and is heavier than the other systems, and is usually vehicle mounted. It is used by infantry, LCVs, and helicopters. The Finnish Navy's Coastal Jaegers also operates the version in the anti-ship role. The weight of the missile is 34 kg (74 lb 15 oz), the launchers are 30 kg (66 lb 2 oz) and 55 kg (121 lb 4 oz) respectively for the vehicle and air-launched versions. Penetration is around 1,000 mm (39 in) of RHA.[9]
Spike NLOS
"Non Line Of Sight" is an ultra long range version of the weapon with a claimed maximum range of up to 25 km (16 mi). As a newer, larger missile with an overall weight of around 70 kg (154 lb 5 oz), it can be fired from helicopters. The Spike NLOS is already operational with a military customer, which is most likely to be Israel Defense Forces[11][12]. Reportedly, the South Korean government has allocated KRW90 billion South Korean won for the South Korean Army to procure the Spike-NLOS for the defence of South Korean islands south of the Northern Limit Line.[13]
External images
Mini Spike Anti-personnel guided weapon
image icon Mini Spike with integral CLU
image icon Mini Spike with attached Spike CLU
Mini-Spike
On 2 September 2009, at an IDF exhibition held at the 3rd 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).[14][15] Rafael claims that this latest member of the Spike family of missile costs and weighs only a third of the Spike-LR, while offering a longer engagement range of 1.3 km (0.81 mi) when compared to the Spike-SR.[16]

Users

Operators of Spike ATGM colored in dark blue.
File:Spider LSV with SPIKE ATGM.jpg
Singapore Airshow 2008, a locally developed twin-tube launcher for the Spike as mounted on a Spider Light Strike Vehicle of the Singapore Army.
 Azerbaijan
Total 100 Spike-LR missiles.[17]
 Chile
Total 2,200 Spike-MR/LR missiles.[17]
 Colombia
Total 15 Spike-ER missiles.[17]
 Czech Republic
Unknown number, used on the Pandur II IFV.[18]
 Ecuador
Total 244 missiles, delivered October 2009.[19]
 Finland
Total 700 missiles, breakdown being 300 Spike-MR with the remaining 400 being Spike-ER.[17] 100 MR (PstOhj 2000) launchers plus an option for 70 more, and 18 ER (Rannikko-ohjus 2006) launchers for coastal anti-ship use.[20]
 Germany
Total 4,000 Spike-LR missiles[17], 311 LR launchers on Puma vehicles.[21]
 Israel
First to acquire in 1997, unknown numbers of MR (Gil), LR (Gomed), ER (Dandy) and NLOS (Tammuz) missiles with associated launchers.[11]
 Italy
Total 1,155 Spike-MR/LR missiles.[17] The Italian Army has ordered: 65 Infantry Launchers, 36 LR launchers for the Freccia IFV, 20 LR launchers for the Dardo IFV, 26 indoor and 37 outdoor training systems. The Italian Navy has ordered 6 Infantry Launchers, 2 indoor and 2 outdoor training systems. In total about 1000 missiles in 4 variants; SR, MR, LR and ER are to be procured. The initial contract is worth 120 million Euros.[20]
 Netherlands
Total 2,400 Spike-MR missiles, 297 launchers.[20]
 Peru
Total 516 Spike-LR missiles, 48 launchers.[17]
 Poland
Total 2,675 Spike-LR missiles, 264 launchers.[17] Some will be on KTO Rosomak and Anders vehicles.[20]
 Portugal
Total 20 Spike-MR/LR missiles.[17]
 Romania
Total 1,950 missiles, breakdown being 1,000 Spike-ER with the remaining 950 being Spike-LR. For use on IAR 330 SOCAT attack helicopters and MLI-84M IFVs.[17]
 Singapore
After Israel, Singapore became the second country to acquired Spike ATGM in 1999.[22] Total 1,000 Spike-LR missiles, with associated launchers.[17]
 Slovenia
Total 75 missiles, Spike MR and LR. Some will be on Patria AMVs.[citation needed]
 Republic of Korea
Unknown number of Spike NLOS ordered for defense of Korean islands south of the Northern Limit Line.[13][23]
 Spain
Total 2,800 missiles, breakdown being 2,600 Spike-LR with remaining 200 being Spike-ER.[17] 236 Spike LR launchers (option for 100 more), 2,360 missiles for Spanish army, 24 Spike LR launchers/240 missiles for Spanish marines. Spike ER on Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopters (Spanish army).[20]


Under evaluations

 France
Spike is a contender along with Javelin.[24][25][26]
 Turkey
Although no formal contract or deal had been concluded, an Otokar Cobra light armoured vehicle had been fitted with the Rafael Overhead Weapon Station, armed with the Spike anti-tank missile system.[27][dubious – discuss]

Comparable systems

References

Notes
  1. ^ a b "A multitude of launchers - for a multitude of use". EuroSpike GmbH. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  2. ^ a b "Defense Update issue 2-07 (May - June 2007) : Electro-Optically Guided Weapons". Defense-Update.Com. Retrieved 1 July 2010.
  3. ^ "Eurocopter Fires Spike Missile From HAD Tiger". Spacewar.com. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
  4. ^ "Tiger HAD Enters Firing Campaign Using the Spike Missile". Deagel.com. 12 September 2008. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
  5. ^ "EuroSpike GmbH". EuroSpike GmbH. Retrieved 1 July 2010.
  6. ^ "Multi-Purpose Missiles". Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
  7. ^ "SPIKE Medium Range (MR) - "Fire & Forget" for visible targets". EuroSpike GmbH. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  8. ^ "SPIKE Long Range (LR) - "Fire & Forget" or "Fire Observe & Update" for different targets". EuroSpike GmbH. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  9. ^ a b Rafael Co. marketing brochure
  10. ^ "SPIKE Extended Range (ER) - a longer range of "Fire & Forget" or "Fire Observe & Update"". EuroSpike GmbH. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  11. ^ a b "Advanced Spike Missile Unveiled" (Press release). Israel Defense Forces' official website. 25 November 2009. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  12. ^ Trimble, Stephen (25 November 2009). "Rafael unveils new long-range Spike missile". Flight International. Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  13. ^ a b "Seoul to deploy Israeli guided missiles on Yeonpyeong in February". The Korea Times. 4 January 2011.
  14. ^ "Israel Unveils New Precision Weapon Systems for the Ground Forces". Defense-Update.Com. 2 September 2009. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  15. ^ "Mini-Spike Anti-Personnel Guided Weapon". Defense-Update.Com. 2 September 2009. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  16. ^ "Combining EO/Laser Guidance for Small Precision Guided Weapons". Defense-Update.Com. December 2010. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "SIPRI arms transfer database". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Information generated on 27 August 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ Template:Cs iconCzech Army page
  19. ^ Template:Es icon "Ecuadorean Army OrBat" (Press release). Ecuadorean Army. 30 November 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
  20. ^ a b c d e International Institute for Strategic Studies (2010). The Military Balance 2010. United Kingdom: Taylor and Francis. ISBN 9781857435573. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  21. ^ "EuroSpike launcher — Ground — Vehicle Operation". EuroSpike GmbH. Retrieved 1 July 2010.
  22. ^ "Army Gets New Anti-Tank Weapon" (Press release). Singaporean Ministry of Defence (MINDEF). 13 July 1999, last updated on 25 June 2005. Retrieved 25 August 2011. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ "The Long Spike In Korea". 11 February 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
  24. ^ Enzi Bonsignor editor in chief "Military Technology" 7/2010 page 4 - ie Spike tentatively chosen by French Army and decision is a big dispute with domestic defence industry which wants Milan-3 chosen instead. Javelin's have been bought for use only in Afghanistan by French Army as a temporary measure
  25. ^ Pierre, Tran (29 March 2010). "Battling for a Battlefield Missile". DefenceNews.Com. Retrieved 16 August 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ "Despite the Recent Acquisition of Javelin Missiles, France Still Undecided on Future Anti-Tank Missile Buy". Defence-Update.Com. 9 April 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  27. ^ http://www.army-technology.com/projects/cobra/
Bibliography
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Spike missiles.
Video links

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