Airbus lines up H145M Spike ER2 live fire tests
The H145M helicopter takes flight during a live fire demonstration at Hungary’s Bakony Combat Training Center (Photo: Airbus)
Airbus wants to add to the lethality of the H145M multirole helicopter by adding Rafael's Spike ER2 fifth-generation precision-guided missile.
Airbus has revealed exclusively to Shephard that it plans to test-fire the Spike ER2 (Extended Range 2) fifth-generation multipurpose missile from H145M helicopters in Q2 2022.
The weapon has already undergone system integration evaluations and flight tests with the aircraft at company facilities in Donauwörth to assess aerodynamics, drag, vibration and performance, according to Mark Henning, H145M programme manager at Airbus.
The manufacturer is still to decide on a location for the customer test-fire event, but it hopes to use a site in central Europe.
‘We’ve been flying [with Spike ER2] since last year, which includes [integration of] the
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 1 free story per week
- Personalised news alerts
- Daily and weekly newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Air Warfare
-
![Lockheed Martin conducts first flight of U-2 Avionics Tech Refresh programme]()
Lockheed Martin conducts first flight of U-2 Avionics Tech Refresh programme
Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works has successfully completed the first flight of the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft Avionics Tech Refresh (ATR) programme, an effort to upgrade the type's capabilities for the future battlespace.
-
![PLA shows off new UCAV, while CH-5 achieves sale to Iraq]()
PLA shows off new UCAV, while CH-5 achieves sale to Iraq
China's aerospace industry continues to develop and sell advanced UAVs both at home and on the international market and has displayed UCAVs at the China Helicopter Exhibition in Tianjin.
-
![Northrop Grumman awarded $705 million contract for USAF’s new strike missile capability]()
Northrop Grumman awarded $705 million contract for USAF’s new strike missile capability
The USAF has selected Northrop Grumman to develop and test the Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW), a new air-to-ground weapon system, for fifth-generation aircraft and beyond.
-
![India to add to Su-30MKI fleet with new order]()
India to add to Su-30MKI fleet with new order
India will order a dozen extra Su-30 fighters from Russia, these to be assembled by HAL within India.
-
![Sweden accelerates Gripen E fighter jet delivery]()
Sweden accelerates Gripen E fighter jet delivery
Adjustments to an existing contract aims to facilitate the continued development and operational use of Gripen C/D aircraft beyond 2030, in parallel with the introduction of the Gripen E next-generation fighter.
