Flash Report: US Army Fires SPIKE NLOS missile from AH-64E Helicopter in Poland Hitting Targets at 26 km Range.

According to information published by the Israeli company Rafael on August 28, 2025, the United States Army, in close coordination with the Inspectorate of the Polish Air Force and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, has successfully completed a live fire demonstration of the SPIKE NLOS missile system launched from an AH-64E Apache attack helicopter at the Central Air Force Training Range in Ustka, Poland. The trial marks a significant milestone in deepening operational interoperability between NATO allies and showcases a groundbreaking capability for rotary-wing platforms.
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U.S. Army AH-64E Apache Guardian equipped with SPIKE NLOS missile during live fire exercise in Ustka, Poland, showcasing extended-range precision strike capability in cooperation with Polish Armed Forces and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. (Picture source: Rafael)

The campaign was spearheaded by the U.S. Army’s 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, stationed in Ansbach, Germany, which deployed several AH-64E Apaches to Poland for the purpose of evaluating long-range precision strike integration. Hosted by the Polish Ministry of National Defence, the live fire exercise was attended by high-ranking officials from the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces and the Inspectorate of the Air Force, along with observers from over ten NATO member states, signaling the strategic interest in the SPIKE NLOS solution among allied forces.

During the demonstration, two SPIKE NLOS missiles were launched from U.S. Army Apaches against maritime targets positioned in the Baltic Sea, both achieving direct hits at an impressive standoff range of 26 kilometers. The test validated the operational synergy between American rotary aviation platforms and Israeli-developed precision-guided munitions, underscoring a new level of capability in beyond-line-of-sight engagements.

The SPIKE NLOS (Non-Line-of-Sight) is the longest-range variant in Rafael’s family of electro-optically guided missiles, designed for precision strikes against high-value targets beyond visual range. With a reach of up to 32 kilometers when launched from helicopters, the missile is equipped with a dual-mode seeker, real-time video transmission, and man-in-the-loop control, enabling operators to adjust targets in flight and strike with pinpoint accuracy even in complex terrain or against mobile threats. Its integration onto the AH-64E Apache represents a significant boost in the platform’s lethality, allowing it to strike well beyond the range of traditional Hellfire missiles and other legacy munitions.

The AH-64E Apache Guardian is the latest and most advanced variant of the U.S. Army’s iconic attack helicopter, developed by Boeing. It features upgraded engines, improved composite rotor blades, advanced avionics, and enhanced datalink systems for real-time battlefield connectivity. Capable of flying in adverse weather and day-night conditions, the AH-64E can carry a mix of weaponry including AGM-114 Hellfires, Hydra 70 rockets, and now long-range SPIKE NLOS missiles. It also includes enhanced target acquisition systems and full interoperability with UAVs, offering commanders a versatile and survivable asset for precision strike missions.

Senior military leaders from both the United States and Poland praised the integration of the SPIKE NLOS onto the Apache platform as a decisive enhancement of combat aviation, offering both survivability and strike flexibility against high-value and time-sensitive targets. Polish officials further highlighted the relevance of the trial to Poland’s own acquisition program for the AH-64E Apache, suggesting that SPIKE NLOS could become a key armament in the country’s future helicopter fleet.

In 2023, Poland signed a contract to acquire 96 AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters from the United States, marking one of the largest Apache procurement deals in NATO history. The contract includes aircraft, training, logistical support, and a comprehensive weapons package, signaling a transformational leap in Poland’s air combat capabilities. The SPIKE NLOS integration tested in this campaign is seen as a likely addition to this fleet, significantly extending the helicopters’ strike envelope in both land and maritime environments.

This campaign concludes more than a year of collaborative planning between U.S. and Polish military structures, with active support from Rafael, which served as the technical lead on integration and operational implementation. Rafael reaffirmed its commitment to working alongside the Polish defense industry to tailor advanced weapon systems to Poland’s strategic requirements. The company also noted the SPIKE NLOS’s growing track record as a combat-proven, multi-domain precision strike asset now expanding into NATO rotary aviation platforms.

This live fire event not only demonstrated a potent new weapon pairing but also reflected broader strategic alignment between Warsaw and Washington, reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank with interoperable, long-range strike capabilities capable of deterring and defeating peer-level threats.