US Army evaluates Spike Firefly loitering munition
A US Army soldier operates Spike Firefly during AEWE 2022. (Photo: Rafael)
The US Army evaluated the Spike Firefly loitering munition at the AEWE 2022 exercise. During the two days assessment, seven infantry squads were qualified in the operation of the weapon system.
The US Army has evaluated the Spike Firefly loitering munition during a live exercise, Israeli manufacturer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems revealed on 9 May.
Rafael and its US subsidiary RSGS demonstrated the system during the recent Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment (AEWE 2022).
During a two-day assessment, seven infantry squads were qualified in the operation of Spike Firefly by using inert rounds and an embedded trainer that simulated the operation as part of the Firefly control unit.
The squads also participated in force-on-force exercises within an urban area deploying Firefly munitions in different tactical scenarios to support infantry squad manoeuvres.
This portable VTOL miniature tactical loitering munition is part of the Spike family of precision-guided EO missile systems and is designed for precision strikes in close combat in any environment.
Spike Firefly includes an advanced multispectral seeker with an uncooled IR sensor, a high-definition CMOS day sensor as well as a proximity sensor allowing the system to detect, identify, track and engage on very agile targets.
The loitering munition also features an encrypted data link and a lethal blast fragmentation warhead.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Echoshield 4D radar addresses C-UAS demands]()
Echoshield 4D radar addresses C-UAS demands
Several DoD and overseas customers have already pre-purchased the EchoShield 4D C-UAS radar ahead of testing, according to manufacturer Echodyne.
-
![Poland and Saudi Arabia to receive technical support for M1A2 Abrams]()
Poland and Saudi Arabia to receive technical support for M1A2 Abrams
The oldest and newest FMS customers for the M1A2 Abrams MBT will receive technical support from General Dynamics Land Systems.
-
![FNSS pushes ZAHA for Indonesian AAV requirement]()
FNSS pushes ZAHA for Indonesian AAV requirement
As Indonesia pushes to boost its domestic defence industry, agreements were recently signed for AAVs, small-arms ammunition, C-130 MRO and air surveillance radars.
-
![Read the latest issue of the Armoured Vehicles Handbook]()
Read the latest issue of the Armoured Vehicles Handbook
The Armoured Vehicles Handbook Issue 12 covers the global armoured vehicles industry and provides a handy reference source for the basic parameters that describe a platform’s performance.
-
![US Army tests Raytheon/Kord 50kW-class high energy laser weapon]()
US Army tests Raytheon/Kord 50kW-class high energy laser weapon
The US Army concluded an operational assessment with the Raytheon/Kord 50kW-class high energy laser integrated on a Stryker combat vehicle at White Sands Missile Range (New Mexico). The system defeated multiple 60mm mortar rounds.
