Rafael lifts the veil on Aerospike
Aerospike (circled in red) in flight. (Photo: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems)
New air-to-surface missile for fixed-wing aircraft from Rafael is optimised for close air support, counterterrorism and anti-A2AD applications.
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems used the opening day of the SOFIC 2022 exhibition in Tampa, Florida, to unveil its Aerospike air-to-surface EO/IR precision-guided missile (PGM) for close air support, counterterrorism and anti-A2AD applications.
Designed specifically for fixed-wing aircraft, the lightweight Aerospike is based on capabilities already fielded in the Spike LR2 antitank missile, such as a dual high-resolution EO/IR seeker, detect-and-track capabilities and scene-matching technology.
The new PGM offers CEP accuracy of 3ft (0.91m) or less ‘and offers an significant stand-off range of 30km, all within a contested environment, [and] independent of GPS’, Rafael announced on 16 May.
A real-time RF data link allows ‘seamless man-in-the-loop operation and advanced lethality’ from Aerospike by high-explosive antitank (HEAT) and blast fragmentation warheads, the Israeli company added.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Malaysian Army tests its MD 530G helicopters]()
Malaysian Army tests its MD 530G helicopters
Malaysia is now operating the MD 530G light helicopter, while the first CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft conversion has arrived home.
-
![Checkmate and Okhotnik face trouble despite positive spin from Rostec]()
Checkmate and Okhotnik face trouble despite positive spin from Rostec
Western sanctions, imposed on Russia amid its invasion of Ukraine, mean that Rostec will struggle to bring its much-vaunted Checkmate and Okhotnik programmes to fruition.
-
![Three FMS customers to receive Joint Standoff Weapon technical upgrade]()
Three FMS customers to receive Joint Standoff Weapon technical upgrade
Bahrain, Canada and Taiwan are to benefit from a technical data and software upgrade for the AGM-154C Block III missile.
