Missile and Eight-Cell Launcher Offered for Contending Platforms
Using its recently unveiled eight-missile launcher for the SPIKE NLOS missile, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is offering the system in partnership with PGZ for the Polish Ottokar-Brzoza programme – formerly known as the Tank Destroyer programme. PGZ is offering BWP-1 and KTO ROSOMAK vehicle platforms for the requirement.
With a standoff range of 32km, SPIKE NLOS is the longest-range variant of the SPIKE family, featuring all-weather performance. One SPIKE NLOS battery can cover a large operational area, creating a significant tactical footprint. It is a 5th-generation ATGM and includes an advanced EO guidance unit, enabling passive target engagement with no laser emission, radar signals or GPS-dependence. The unique combination of standoff and EO guidance allows a SPIKE NLOS unit to launch stealth salvo attacks, engaging multiple armoured targets simultaneously, breaking the enemy’s momentum.
The system is capable of engaging line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight targets, with a choice of engagement modes using digital targeting data provided over standard secure military networks, fully interoperable with NATO solutions.
To meet a key requirement of the Polish programme, the selected standoff weapon must be able to cope with any type of terrain, including urban. SPIKE NLOS, with its real-time datalink and high quality EO seeker, facilitates engagement in urban terrain with pinpoint accuracy that is hard to obtain with laser-guided or radar-guided missiles, thereby minimizing potential collateral damage and allowing significantly better discrimination among targets as friend, foe or uninvolved.
Another major differentiator for the EO guidance system is the ability to discriminate real-time high value targets (as the missile approaches the target area) such as C2 assets or air-defence launchers whose removal dramatically affects the opponent.
The SPIKE NLOS missile is in service with multiple armed forces, including several NATO members, and has been fired thousands of times in combat from vehicle and naval platforms as well as attack helicopters. It is slated to compete in the future KRUK attack helicopter programme for the Polish armed forces.
The new SPIKE NLOS launcher is based on a stand-alone multi-purpose launcher that can be integrated onto any current or future Polish platform, such as the BWP-1, the KTO ROSOMAK or the future BORSUK IFV. An important feature of the launcher is its compatibility with other SPIKE family members in service in Poland, including SPIKE LR and SPIKE LR2, allowing use of the thousands of existing SPIKE rounds in inventory.
The valuable experience gained by Polish forces in the use of SPIKE to date, coupled with the fact that the missile is produced in Poland by Mesko – a PGZ company – provides a suitable infrastructure for future local production of the NLOS missile and the new launcher.
A brief video of the SPIKE NLOS system may be viewed by clicking here:
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