Last Updated on 16.03.2003

SPIKE ATGM

SPIKE is a new 3rd generation, electro-optical, medium to long range anti-tank missile developed at the RAFAEL Missile Division Anti-Armor Directorate and is one of the company's flagship products. Considered very accurate in all weather conditions, the SPIKE can be fired from either helicopters or tanks and is also light enough to be used by infantry troops. SPIKE can defeat advanced Main Battle Tanks (MBT) as well as secondary targets such as buildings and soft-skin vehicles. The system is based on a common system architecture providing medium, long and extended long range precision attack capability for infantry, mobile, airborne and sea-based applications. Due to this, Finland, Holland, Norway, Poland and Singapore Armed Forces are using this system as their preferred Anti-Tank capability.

The SPIKE system is very portable. It can be carried on its own by a (1) 3-man crew (Man-packing role) or mounted on the combat jeep or (2) Light Strike Vehicle (LSV).

Above: The structure of a SPIKE missile.
Below: The (1) CLU, (2) Thermal Sight & finally (3) The Assembled System (With Tripod/Chartered Electro-Optics Thermal Imager attached)

The weapon consists of the missile in its canister and the firing post comprising a Command Launch Unit (CLU) ,Thermal Sight and Tripod. Command and Launch Unit, Imaging Infrared/CCD seekers, and part of the missile electronics are common to all family members. The powerful tandem warhead, rocket motor and flight control mechanisms also utilized similar elements to reduce production cost (System costs a 6-digit figure). Look above for the parts.

MISSILE: The missile has four rectangular fins for aerodynamic control at the rear, and four wings at just over halfway from nose to tail on the length of the body. They unfold as the missile leaves the launch cannister. The guidance system in the nose of the SPIKE missile comprises a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) and Imaging Infra-Red (IIR) seeker. The imaging infrared provides higher sensitivity and improved thermal background rejection characteristics for all-weather day and night operation.

TRAINING: The SPIKE training programme includes target identification and acquisition, missile lock-on and post launch observation. The SPIKE system has two simulators for individual training. The Outdoor Simulator trains soldiers, using real targets, up to the point of missile launch. The Indoor Trainer also trains soldiers up to the point of missile launch and during missile flight using the fibre-optic data link.

SPIKE Outdoor Training Simulator, like the real thing!

Some system specs below:

SPIKE’s high probability of kill (PK) of both stationary and moving targets (90% hit ratio) , is achieved by a sophisticated tracking algorithms and simple but effective guidance controls. SPIKE can be employed in two trajectories – in the high trajectory mode, the missile climbs high above the ground and then dives onto the target. Utilizing the low trajectory, the missile flies close to ground level and makes a direct attack on the target. This type of attack is useful especially at close range and in urban terrain. The weapon’s high trajectory is more suitable for attack of armoured vehicles, which are more vulnerable to top attack. From this position, the target is clearly visible at the terminal attack phase, and the operator can aim the missile to hit at the most vulnerable points. The basic operating mode for the SPIKE is a “fire and forget”. After firing, the missile automatically guides itself to the target impact. However, utilizing the fiber-optic communications link, Spike missile can also get target and guidance updates during the flight. This capability also enables the gunner to observe the target throughout the whole flight, as seen through the missile seeker. He can control the aim point during flight, thus ensuring the target is hit at its most vulnerable spot, which may not have been visible from the firing position, therefore the SPIKE system can work in non line-of-sight (NLOS) mode allowing the gunner to operate from a covered position. The fibre-optic data link also provides man-in-the-loop control all the way to target impact, hence permitting SPIKE to be used in operations which are subject to tough Rules of Engagement.

Here are some deployment positions:

< Prone        <Sitting      < Firing Thru Window < Mounted On LSV

The other SPIKE family members includes:

 

Designation	Max. Range	Application
SPIKE-SR	800m	Infantry
SPIKE-MR (Gill)	2,500m	Infantry and Special Forces
SPIKE-LR (SPIKE)	4,000m	Infantry, Light Combat Vehicles
SPIKE-ER (NTD)	8,000m	Infantry, LCV, Helicopters

SPIKE SR (Short-ranged, light and cheap to produce)