US Army to work with Rafael on ‘Americanization’ of Spike missile family

Poland’s latest purchase of Spike LR antitank guided missiles builds on an original order of 2675 units from 2003. (Rafael)

JERUSALEM — The US Army is teaming up with an arm of Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to more closely develop the Spike family of missiles, including “future enhancements and Americanization” of the munitions.

Rafael Systems Global Sustainment, a US subsidiary of the Israeli firm, announced the signing of a cooperation agreement with US Army Combat Capabilities Command (DEVCOM) on Monday that “aims to leverage the expertise and resources of both organizations to adequately evaluate the cutting-edge precision tactical missile systems for better alignment with the U.S Army’s evolving needs for modern warfare.”

“As the defense landscape continues to evolve, partnerships like this CRADA [Cooperative Research and Development Agreement] between Rafael and DEVCOM play a crucial role in driving innovation and ensuring the readiness of the U.S Army,” Joe Anderson, the CEO Rafael Advanced Defense Systems said in the statement. He noted the Spike system is used worldwide by 43 countries and is deployed with infantry and armored brigade combat teams by these nations.

Spike was developed in the 1970s and issued to the IDF in the 1980s. Since then it has been rolled out in new variants and its range has been increased, as well as its capabilities to be used from helicopters and other platforms. The family of munitions has seen success abroad, especially in Europe where it is sold under the banner of “Eurospike.” In 2024 Rafael also said it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the US Army’s Joint Munitions Command to assemble a variant called Spike LR2.

The new agreement with DEVCOM will enable the transfer of know-how regarding sensitive aspects of the missile via Rafael’s US subsidiary. This will allow for the “exchange of technical expertise, access to facilities, and sharing of intellectual property,” Rafael said in a statement. “This collaboration is expected to accelerate the development of advanced missile technologies, enhance the capabilities of the SPIKE missile system, and ensure its compatibility with the [US] Army’s requirements.”

Among those requirements, Anderson said, is the Army’s mandate for a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), which the Department of Defense describes as a “technical and business strategy for designing an affordable and adaptable system.”

The new agreement could see the delivery of “state-of-the-art missile systems that will enhance the effectiveness and survivability of the US Army,” Rafael said.

The agreement specifically refers to tactical variants of the Spike family, including the Spike LR2, Spike SR, Spike ER and the Spike Firefly. Firefly is a loitering munition that takes off using rotors designed for relatively short range combat such as fighting in urban areas. That system has been used by the IDF over the last two years.

Rafael said it sees the new agreement as a “milestone in the ongoing efforts to strengthen the defense capabilities of both the United States and its allies.”

It also comes after Rafael also established a joint venture facility with Raytheon in Arkansas called R2S to produce Iron Dome interceptors. In addition Rafael recently partnered with Kratos in to produce solid rocket motors under a joint venture called Prometheus Energetics.