Three targets were hit during the demonstration, leading the US military to select the system for future use.
By Shula Rosen
The US Army has successfully tested an Israeli-developed missile system, highlighting the growing defense cooperation between Washington and Jerusalem.
The trial took place in Utah, where Lockheed Martin fired Rafael’s Spike non-line-of-sight (NLOS) missile from an American armored vehicle.
Three targets were hit during the demonstration, leading the US military to select the system for future use.
“Spike NLOS enables long-range direct-strike capability, while maneuvering,” Casey Walsh, who heads Lockheed Martin’s missile systems program, told Globes.
The Spike NLOS is the latest version of Rafael’s well-known anti-tank missile family, which has become one of the most widely used in the world. More than 50,000 Spike missiles have been sold, with thousands already fired in battle or training.
Forty-two countries now operate the system, including 20 NATO members.
What sets the Spike NLOS apart is its range and flexibility. It can reach targets up to 32 kilometers away from the ground, and as far as 50 kilometers when launched from the air.
The missile can be fired from land vehicles, helicopters, naval ships, and other platforms—making it useful across different battle scenarios.
Operators can also change or even cancel a strike in mid-flight thanks to its data link technology, adding another layer of control and safety.
Under the agreement with Lockheed Martin, the system is expected to be fitted into US tactical vehicles and Apache helicopters.
For Israel’s Rafael, the trial further cements its reputation as a major supplier of advanced defense technology.
For the US, the missile offers a proven, versatile system that can adapt to changing battlefield needs.
The success of the Utah test highlights not only the growing demand for precision weapons but also the importance of US-Israel defense cooperation in bringing such systems to the field.
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