Lockheed Martin has successfully demonstrated the Spike Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) system for the US Army as part of a deal to develop and test a precision-guided missile system prototype.
The missile was launched from an Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT)-equivalent vehicle at the Dugway Proving Grounds in Utah, striking three targets that included one unobstructed and two hidden from view.
The demo follows a week after the service down-selected Lockheed for the first phase of the Mobile-Long Range Precision Strike Missile (M-LRPSM) Directed Requirement competition, intended to fill the capability gap needs of the IBCT.
Following the competition’s first phase, the army is set to conduct safety confirmation testing and further down-selection of competitors. It will culminate in a final decision of a chosen defense contractor for the missile program.
Casey Walsh, Lockheed Martin Multi-Domain Missile Systems program director, said that the Spike NLOS system “delivers direct-strike and long-range capability in combat operations where maneuverability, reconnaissance, and security matter most.”
“We understand the importance of the M-LRPSM Directed Requirement and look forward to working with the US Army to demonstrate how Spike NLOS is the ideal choice when it comes to combat agility and increased operational flexibility.”
Spike NLOS Missile
The Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems manufactures the sixth-generation Spike NLOS missile, one of the variants within the Spike missile family.
It is a multi-purpose, electro-optical/infrared missile system deployable from a ground, aerial, or naval platform.
The precision-guided munition can reach ranges of up to 32 kilometers (19.8 miles) when launched from the ground, and up to 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the air, navigating around or beyond obstacles to engage the designated target.
It features a seeker and wireless datalink that enables operators to change or abort the mission while the missile is mid-flight towards its target.
Rafael partnered with Lockheed Martin for the Spike NLOS missile’s integration into US military platforms, particularly Oshkosh Defense’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) and the Apache helicopters.
-
-
-
-
-
