Army US Army Evaluates Rafael SPIKE SR

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Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. and Rafael Systems Global Sustainment (RSGS a US subsidiary of Rafael) demonstrated the SPIKE Short Range (SR) missile at the Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment (AEWE) 2021.

AEWE 2021 is assessing advanced technologies in support of US Army modernisation efforts, including the Army’s six modernisation priorities. SPIKE SR, which is part of the SPIKE Family of anti-tank guided weapons, provides a light weight (10 kg), shoulder-fired munition, with an enhanced range of 2000m. This increases lethality at the individual squad level. SPIKE SR’s features, including its ease of use, allow lower echelon infantry to rapidly qualify and sustain a high level of operation with minimal training.

AEWE assessed SPIKE SR as a precision munition system for infantry squads, for which portability and simplicity of operation is essential. AEWE also assessed the system for its ability to allow close-combat formations to dominate the operational environment and handle new threats in a near-peer conflict.

SPIKE SR Advantages​

During the assessment, live SPIKE SR missiles hit both static and moving targets in day (EO) and IR modes. Challenges included overcoming battlefield obstacles that effectively eliminated the target from the field of view. During the assessment, soldiers received instruction on the operation of the weapon, including indoor and outdoor training. US Army evaluators provided positive feedback on the system’s light weight, lethality and ease of use compared to what is currently in use by the US Army.

RSGS, supported by Rafael, organised the demonstration for the assessment. The experiment was managed by the US Army’s Manoeuvre Battle Lab and US combat veterans from the 1st Battalion, and 29th Infantry Regiment, also known as the EXFOR, participated in the assessment. The event was well attended by senior US Army officials, including from Army Futures Command, the Manoeuvre Centre of Excellence and the acquisition community. This assessment was the first live-fire demonstration of SPIKE SR on US soil.

Jack Richardson

US Army Evaluates Rafael SPIKE SR - European Security & Defence

Rafael has carried out a Live Fire Demonstration of its SPIKE SR missile as part of the US Army's Expeditionary Warrior Experiment 2021.

euro-sd.com

 

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