In December 2009, Rafael announced the debut of the new Spike
NLOS. This is a substantially larger
missile than the Spike ER, weighing
about 70 kg vs. 34 kg. The weight
difference is due to a larger motor
and larger flight control package to
extend the range. Although the Spike
NLOS can employ the usual fiberoptic guidance at ranges up to 8km,
at ranges beyond that, a new radio
command link is used. The system is
intended mainly for heavy launchers. Также как: For Spike ER2 missiles fired from helicopters, Rafael now offers an option to replace the optical fiber data link with an RF datalink (similar to the Spike LR2), thus extending the range to 16 km., matching the missile’s energetic potential. To operate at such distances the system now provides Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) engagement capabilities such as launch to a specific grid coordinate, where the operator can designate the target. The new missile retains the Spike’s size, weight (<35 kg), and lethality.
