DEFEA 2021: Rafael exhibitits latest generation of Spike missiles ER2 and LR2.

Israeli company Rafael showcases the latest generation of Spike missile including ER2 and LR2 versions at DEFEA 2021, International Defense Exhibition in Greece.

Israel company Rafael displays the latest generation of Spike missiles at DEFEA 2021, an International defense exhibition in Greece. (Picture source Army Recognition)

Spike is an Israeli-made fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile and anti-personnel missile full developed and designed by the Israeli company Rafael. It is a man-portable surface-to-surface missile system but it can be also mounted on combat vehicles or helicopters

SPIKE ER2 is an extended range 5th generation multi-purpose, multi-platform, multi-domain electro-optical guided missile system, designed for the complex challenges of modern warfare.

The SPIKE ER2 missile offers the optimal weight-to-range ratio, allowing standoff of up to 10-16 km while weighing only 34 kg. This capability enables light and agile platforms (ground, rotary, or maritime) to be modernized while maintaining their maneuverability and agility.

The system’s enhanced capabilities enable precision engagement of either direct or non-line-of-sight targets from the ground, in the air, at sea ‒ delivering unprecedented tactical overmatch for ground tank hunter units, attack helicopter squadrons, and naval flotillas.

SPIKE ER2 includes a real-time fiber optic data link for surface engagement and an RF data link for rotary applications, enabling Man-in-the-Loop retargeting and firing against Beyond-Line-Of-Sight (BLOS) and Non-Line-Of-Sight (NLOS) targets.

Enabling simple and rapid rotary platform integration SPIKE ER2 has been integrated on 10 different types of attack and utility helicopters, dramatically enhancing both the lethality and survivability of the aircraft.

The Spike LR2 is also one of the latest variants in the Spike family. It has a weight of 12.7 kg and the range is increased to 5.5 km at ground level and 10 km from helicopters. It uses 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.