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Spike
Spike
	; SPIKE ATGM launcher with mock-up missile at Singapore Army Open House 2007
Type	Man-portable fire-and-forget anti-tank missile
Place of origin	Israel
Service history
In service	1997 - Present
Used by	See Operators
Wars	Second Intifada, 2006 Lebanon War, War in Afghanistan (2001–present), Gaza War
Production history
Designed	1987
Manufacturer	Rafael Advanced Defense Systems; Diehl BGT Defence
Produced	1997 - Present
Variants	See Versions
Specifications
Weight	Spike-ER from helicopter: Missile in canister: 34 kg; Launcher: 55 kg; Launcher + 4 missiles: 187 kg; ; Spike-MR/LR from ground: Missile round: 13.3 kg; Launch control unit: 5 kg; Tripod: 3 kg; Battery: 1 kg; Thermal sight: 4 kg;
Length	167 cm (Missile w/launcher)
Diameter	17 cm (Missile w/launcher)
Rate of fire	Ready to launch in 30 seconds, reload in 15 seconds
Maximum range	800 - 8,000 meters, depending on version
Sights	10× optical sight
Warhead	Tandem-charged HEAT warhead
Detonation; mechanism	Impact force
Engine	Solid-fuel rocket;
Guidance; system	Infrared homing - Electro Optical (CCD, IR or Dual CCD/IIR), Passive CCD or dual CCD/IIR seeker

Spike is a fourth generation^[2] anti-tank guided missile developed by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.

[edit] Overview

Israeli Soldier With Gil type Spike Launcher

Spike is a fire-and-forget missile with lock-on before launch and automatic self-guidance. The missile is equipped with an imaging infrared seeker. The long, extended and medium range versions of the Spike also has the capability of Fire, Observe and Update operating mode, by the use of fiber-optical wire that is spooled between the launch position and the missile. This allows the operator to lock onto a target if the target is not in the line of sight of the operator, switch targets, or compensate for the movement of the target if the missile is not tracking the target for some reason. Furthermore, the missile could also be used for simple observation on the other side of the hill and maybe engage a target of opportunity. The tandem warhead is fitted with two shaped charges, a precursor warhead to detonate any explosive reactive armor and a primary warhead to penetrate base armor. It is replacing aging second generation anti-tank missiles like the MILAN and Dragon in many armies. The missile has a soft launch capability which allows the missile to be fired from confined spaces, which is a necessity in urban warfare.

[edit] Components

Spike is composed of two separate subsystems: a launching tripod / fire control unit, and the missile itself. Altogether, the long range variant of the system weighs around 26 kg. Weight savings are achieved through the elimination of a dedicated thermal sight, as the system uses the missile's imaging seeker for target acquisition.

Spike can be operated by infantry teams from the launching tripod, or from standard mounts designed for fast attack vehicles, utility vehicles and APCs. This allows vehicles that are normally not equipped with anti tank weapons to have some form of anti-tank capability. Furthermore, Spike has been tested as a weapon system for the SAGEM Sperwer UAV. The Spanish Army has fitted the Spike-ER to its Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopters.

Note that the Israeli Spike missile must not be confused with the US-made Spike artillery missile.

[edit] Marketing

In order to ease the selling of the weapon system in Europe, the company EuroSpike GmbH was formed in Germany. Its shareholders Diehl BGT Defence (40%), Rheinmetall Defence Electronics (40%) and Rafael via ERCAS B.V (20%). ERCAS B.V. is a Dutch holding company owned 100% by Rafael. EuroSpike GmbH is located in Röthenbach, Germany. The Spike weapon system differs a little from the Israeli version and is then marketed under the name STN Atlas EuroSpike.

[edit] Versions

Spike-SR is the short range version of the weapon. It has a range of some 200 - 800 meters and is intended for infantry use.

Spike-MR is the medium range version. Its range is 200 - 2,500 meters and is used by infantry and special forces. The weight of the missile is 13.5 kg, and the canister itself weighs 13 kg.^{[citation needed]} The launch control unit, battery, tripod and the thermal sight are also used by other land-based versions of the Spike missile family, each weighing 5 kg, 1 kg, 2.8 kg, and 4 kg respectively.^[1]

Spike-LR is the long range version. It has a maximum range of 4,000 meters and is used by infantry and light combat vehicles. It adds fiber-optic communication to and from the launching soldier during flight.^[3] Penetration is around 700mm of rolled homogeneous armour (RHA).^[4]

Spike-ER is the extended range or extra long range version of the weapon. It was formerly also known as the NT-Dandy or NT-D. It has a maximum range of 8,000 meters. It has a larger diameter and is heavier than the other systems, and is usually vehicle mounted. It is used by infantry, LCVs, and helicopters. The Finnish Coastal Jaegers also operates the version in the anti-ship role. The weight of the missile is 34 kg, the launchers are 30 kg and 55 kg respectively for the vehicle and air-launched versions. Penetration is around 1000mm of RHA.^[5]

Spike NLOS is the ultra long range version of the weapon, it was reported that the Spike NLOS has a maximum range of up to 25km, with overall weight also increasing to 70kg (155lb).The new weapon can be fired from helicopters.The Spike NLOS is already operational with a military customer, which is most likely to be the Israeli Defense Forces.^[6]

[edit] Operators

Operators of Spike ATGM colored in dark blue.

Cut away diagram of Spike ATGM

Chile: 2600 missiles.
Colombia
Croatia: About to order 32-64 Spike ER Launchers and undisclosed number of missiles for Patria AMVs APCs.
Finland: 100 MR (PstOhj 2000) launchers plus an option for 70 more, and 18 ER (Rannikko-ohjus 2006) launchers for coastal anti-ship use.
Germany: 311 LR launchers on Puma vehicles.^[7]
Israel: MR (Gil), LR (Gomed), and ER (Dandy) missiles and launchers.
Italy: 21 LR launchers, 32 MR launchers, and 165 missiles. 70 more LR launchers and 990 LR missiles ordered.
Mexico
Netherlands: 297 MR launchers.
Peru: 244 missiles and 24 launchers LR ordered in 2009.^[8]^[9]
Poland: 264 LR launchers. Some will be on KTO Rosomak vehicles (2,675 missiles).
Romania: ER launchers on IAR 330 SOCAT attack helicopters and LR launchers on MLI-84M IFVs.
Singapore
Slovenia: Spike MR and Spike LR. Some will be on Patria AMVs.
Spain: 260 launchers (2,600 LR missiles). ER launchers on Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopters.
Turkey: LR launchers on Otokar Cobra vehicles.