Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. will unveil a new version of its Spike anti-tank missile at the MSPO international defense exhibition in Kielce, Poland this week. The company today announced that the missiles is the Spike-ER II, a fifth-generation missile.
Rafael says that that new missile contains improvements and innovations in previous Spike missiles and can be launched at targets at ranges of 10 kilometers on land and 16 kilometers by air.
The Spike-ER II is a tactical electro-optical precision multi-purpose missile that can be launched from all the existing Spike missile launchers. Rafael says that its advanced warhead gives it a high penetration capability for a broad range of targets.
Rafael says that a communications channel based on wireless radio makes it possible to optimize the missile's energy capabilities while extending its flight range.
The company adds that the new missile is equipped with an innovative double homing head containing a thermal sensor that facilitates location of targets at long ranges. A special target tracker has been installed on the missile that makes it possible to fuse information in real time and track targets on a smoke-filled battlefield. Company sources said that these capabilities enable the missile to detect and destroy concealed targets.
The Spike is regarded as one of the world's best anti-tank missiles. Rafael says that 30 armies are already equipped with it. The company has sold 30,000 Spikes of various types to date. The IDF uses the Spike, which it calls the Gil.
The Australian government last week announced that it had decided to procure Rafael's Spike-LR II missiles, which would be installed on the new Boxer vehicles used by the Australian army.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on September 2, 2018
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