NT Spike

Anti-Armor March 2011

Program Briefing
Israels NT Spike is a family of three related antitank missiles sharing common sub-systems that was first unveiled in 1997. The family consists of the Spike MR (formerly NT-G Gill) man-portable ATGM, the Spike LR (formerly NT-S Spike) medium range ATGM, and the Spike ER (formerly NT-D Dandy) helicopter launched ATGM. The missiles use common seeker technology. The Spike MR and LR are essentially the same, except that the Spike LR has a secondary fiber optic guidance option which enables it to be used against targets out to 4 km. The Spike ER also has a secondary fiber-optic guidance channel which allows for a fire-and-correct guidance capability. In 2009, Rafael announced the new Spike NLOS version which uses a substantially larger fuselage and engine to push its range out to 25 km.

In 2004, Rafael signed a joint venture with Rheinmetall and Diehl to establish a European production line. Total orders to date in Europe for several buyers are about 10,000 missiles and over 1,000 launchers with a value of about $1 billion; according to Rafael about 13,000 missiles had been ordered worldwide as of late 2007. Outside Europe, Spike has also been acquired by Singapore and several other countries.

Manufacturer
Rafael Armament Development Authority P.O. Box 2082 31021 Haifa Israel tel: (972) 4-8776-965 fax: (972) 4-8794-657 Spike is marketed in Europe by the Eurospike consortium with HQ in Roethenbach, and in Asia by Smart Systems Pte. Ltd, formed by Rafael and Singapore Technologies Dynamics. Eurospike is headed by Rheinmetall whose defense division in Bremen manufactures the CLU; Diehl BGT Defense in Maasberg manufactures the warhead. General Dynamics-Santa-Barbara Sistemas has license rights for manufacture in Spain. Some co-production of the NT is undertaken in Poland due to its 2003 order, primarily at the ZM Mesko plant in Skarzysko-Kamienna.

Subsystems
Launch System Launcher Spike MRSpike-MR uses a command launch unit that is clipped on to the sealed missile container/launch tube. After launch, the expended tube is removed, and the CLU attached to a new missile round. Spike-LRSpike-LR is fired from tripod launcher. Like the Spike-MR, the basic version consists of a tubular transport tube/launcher on to which is clipped the command launch unit. It can also be mounted on modified M113 armored transporters. At the IDEF-97 show in Ankara, Turkey in September 1997, Rafael displayed its OWS (Overhead Weapon Station), an externally mounted gun mount with modular features, intended to up-arm M113 armored troop carriers. The OWS includes a twin tube launcher for the NT-S antitank missile. Spike-ERSpike-ER is designed for helicopter launch and the missile is delivered in a sealed launch tube container. It was initially deployed on

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NT Spike
Israeli AH-1F Tsefa (Cobra) attack helicopters in 1995-96. The launch system is part of a package called HeliCOAT which includes the Spike-ER missiles along with the Toplite sighting system and associated fire controls. The Spike ER has been integrated on the Puma transport helicopter for Slovenia and on the TiElectronics Guidance/Flight Control Spike-MRSpike-MR can only be fired in the fire-and-forget mode. The basic seeker is a CCD that permits operation in daytime or low light only, though promotional material suggests that it also has some adverse weather capability. The gunner selects a target and fires the missile, with the seeker locking on to the target. An infrared seeker is an option, though some sources have claimed that the missile can be fitted with a combined CCD/IR detector. Spike-LRSpike-LR uses the same seeker guidance package as the Spike-MR, but has an optional fiber-optic link that permits corrections after launch in a launch and correct mode. As in the case of the SpikeMR, the Spike is launched after having locked on the seeker to the target. If the operator wishes to fire additional missiles, the fiber-optic cable can be cut shortly after launch. If not, ger for Spain. In 2009, the Israeli air force demonstrated a Spike-ER lau n c h system f o r th e U H - 6 0 Blackhawk or other transport helicopters. In 2000, Rafael began offering the Spike-ER which has an alternative launcher package for armored vehicles consisting of two launch tubes

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and a sensor module located on an elevating stalk to permit launch from concealed positions. Rafael has also shown a naval derivative of the Spike-ER on a naval gun mount which it dubs as Typhoon. This was first displayed in 2001.

the fiber optic cable passes seeker imagery back to the operator, who can then provide guidance adjustments. Spike-ERSpike-ER uses the same guidance package as the Spike, including the terminal fiber optic link, but with an improved seeker. Spike-NLOSSpike-ER uses the same guidance package as the Spike, including the terminal fiber optic link for the first 8km, but then employs a radio command data link out beyond 8km.

Propulsion System The NT missiles are powered by an ejector motor and a flight motor. The ejector motor is located in the aft compartment of the missile. The solid Warhead & Fuzing The NT family carries a Rafael tandem shaped hollow charge armor-piercing warhead. The precursor charge is located behind the guidance seeker in the nose of the missile, and forward of the sustainer rocket motor. Training Systems In 2006, Saab Training Systems began offering a Spike/Gill Weapon Effect Simulator for NT Spike training. The main charge is located in the center/rear of the missile, aft the forward set of wings. A n o p t i o n P B F ( P e n e t r ation-blast-fragmentation) warhead was also developed for the Finissh coastal defense version and first displayed at Eurosatory in 2004. sustainer engine is located in the forward portion of the missile body and is exhausted through two ports on the fuselage side.

Specifications
Length: Diameter: Weight: Range: Spike-MR 3.9 ft (1.2m) 4.3 in (110mm) 28.6 lb (13 kg) 1.5 mi (2.5 km) Spike 3.9 ft (1.2m) 4.3 in (110mm) 28.6 lb (13 kg) 2.5 mi (four km) Spike-ER 4.7 ft (1.45m) 5.9 in (150mm) 55.1 lb (25 kg) 3.7 mi (six km)

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NT Spike

Program Overview
History New Missile Family Rafael proposed to develop a fiber-optic guided missile for the IDF in the 1970s, but IAI was given the contract instead, opting for the laser-guided MAPATS. Rafael continued to work on the concept, and in 1987, won approval to begin a program codenamed Gil by Maj. Gen. Uri Saguy, commander of the IDF ground forces. Flight tests of the missile began in 1992. After spending about NIS 100 million, the program was cancelled in 1992 when Saguy was replaced by Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Sakal. Testing continued of prototype missiles, and good test results of both manportable and helicopter launched missiles in 1994 led to continuing debate over the program. When Sakal was replaced by Gen. Zeev Livneh in 1994, the program saw yet another turn of fortune, and was reinstated. The NT Gil was originally introduced in the IDF in 1998. Rafael displayed their new generation antitank missiles for the first time at the 1997 Paris Air Show. The new family consists of three missiles sharing a similar imaging infrared/fiber optic guidance system. The systems were originally called NT-G Gil, NT-S Spike, and NT-D Dandy, but were renamed Spike-MR, Spike-LR and Spike-ER in 2002. Spike-MR Manportable ATGM The Spike-MR is a lightweight missile in the same category as the US Armys Javelin. The missile uses a lofted trajectory for impact on the upper surfaces of the enemy tank. The Export Status European Marketing In September 1998, Rafael signed a letter of intent with STN Atlas Elektronik to serve as the basis for the start of a consortium called Eurospike to jointly manufacture and market the NT family in Europe. STN is now part of Rheinmetall. The Eurospike GmbH was formally formed as a joint venture between Rheinmetall (40%), Diehl Defense (40%) and Rafael (20% via its Dutch Ercas office) in June 2004, with Eurospike acting as the prime contractor for Spike missiles in Europe. The Eurospike clients include Finland, Poland, the Netherlands, Romania, and Italy. Chile There have been reports that as many as 2,600 NT missiles have been ordered by Chile. warhead is a tandem, shaped charge type for penetration of roof-mounted reactive armor. In 1997, a Rafael representative stated that the new missile was in limited, small-scale production, presumably either low-rate production or in trials batches for final evaluation. Polish sources have stated that the missile is being manufactured at a rate of about 10 a month, though this may represent low-rate initial production. This is apparently the only version of the family that does not use a fiber-optic link, but rather employs a lock-before-launch approach. The missile comes packed in a launcher/transport container. It is fired from a small tripod. Spike-LR ATGM The Spike is a similar missile to the Spike-MR but has a fiber-optic adjunct guidance system which enables it to be corrected after launch. It was apparently developed to meet Israeli special forces requirements. It is intended for either infantry use from a lightweight tripod or vehicle launch. It is intended to replace systems such as the Israeli MAPATS and the US TOW. The Spike was offered by Rafael as a possible contender in the US Army JAWS missile program in 1996, later called FOTT (Follow-On-To-TOW), but rejected. Spike-ER Helicopter ATGM The Spike-ER is the third and largest member of the family. The first NT-D missiles were deployed on an experimental basis on Israeli AH-1 Cobra (Tsefa) attack helicopters in 1995 or 1996. At the 1997 Paris Air Show, Romania displayed a full-scale model of a missile essentially the same as NT-D as part of a display of its new IAR Puma 2000 helicopter. IAR officials indicated that the missile had been developed in collaboration with a third party country, presumably Israel. Operational Problems The NT missiles were first used in combat along the Lebanon border in 1998. The missiles appear to have guidance problems as several of the five missile fired went out of control or hit unintended targets according to press accounts from the region. LAHAT In 1998, IAIs MBT Division began to promote a new antitank missile called LAHAT (Laser Homing Antitank). This is a guided projectile launched from a 105mm or 120mm tank gun, and uses semi-active laser homing guidance. The missile could also be fired from low-recoil systems in a more conventional ATGM pattern using a modified booster. Excalibur In 1999, IMI began to promote its own 105mm/120mm tank gun fired antitank projectile. The missile flies a high altitude approach profile to the target before diving on to the target tanks roof. The guidance on the Excalibur is described as being fire-and-forget but the exact method (IIR, mmw?) has not been disclosed.

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NT Spike
Colombia There have been reports that Colombia ordered the NT Spike. Croatia Croatia has reportedly ordered about 30-60 Spike launchers for its Patria AMV armored vehicles. A total of 84 on on order, but not all have an ATGM launcher. Czech Republic In February 2006, the Czech Republic selected the NT Spike as part of a package to arm its newly ordered Steyr Pandur light armored vehicles. A total of 234 Pandur II were ordered at a cost of $1.02 billion with delivery in 2007-2010. A portion of the fleet will be fitted with the Rafael Samson remote control weapon station which has provisions for the Spike missile launcher. In December 2007, the Czech government cancelled the program, so presumably the missile order will be cancelled as well. Finland Finland acquired 18 Spike launchers under an initial $20 million order for use as a coastal defense missile. This system is variously called the CMS (coastal missile system) and the RO-2006 and differs from the usual Spike-ER in being fitted with a PBF (penetration-blast-fragmentation) warhead. It is deployed with two mobile companies of Uusimaa Brigade near Tammisaari in the Kotaka Coastal District. Finnish troops conducted operational trials of the NT-G and NT-S versus the US Javelin and in May 2000, selected this missile for its light antitank missile requirement. This was reportedly based on its much lower price. The deal was reported to be valued at FMk 200 million ($31 million); probably 100 launchers and 500 missiles. Production was conducted through the European Spike consortium headed by Rheinmetall. This medium range version is dubbed Spike 2.5. Germany Germany is considering the use of the NT Spike on its new PUMA infantry fighting vehicle with as many as 405 vehicles planned. There have also been reports that German placed an order for a modest number of launchers for use by its light forces in contingency deployments such as Afghanistan. Italy Italys Agusta has mounted the Spike-ER on its A-129 Mangusta attack helicopter as one of its weapon options. This helicopter is now under offer to a number of countries including Australia. In 2006, there were reports that Spike had been selected by the Italian army for use from light AFVs. Mexico Mexico has reportedly placed an order for the Spike. Netherlands Since earlier in 1997, the Netherlands examined the Spike-MR as an alternative to continued participation in the TriGAT-MR antitank missile program. Firing trials were conducted, and the Netherlands army selected the Spike-MR in June 2001 and signed the production contract in August 2001. The Dutch order is for $150 million for 300 launchers and 2,400 missiles and production is being undertaken by Rheinmetalls Eurospike consortium with Thales Nederland involved in the contracting. Poland Poland was the first potential export client for Spike. The NT-D was offered to Poland for its helicopter missile requirement as part of a deal by an Israeli consortium headed by Elbit Systems Ltd. A delegation under defense vice-minister for procurement Jan Kuriata visited Israel in Octo b e r 1 9 9 4 a n d w a s s h o w n a test-launch of a missile, apparently a prototype of the NT-D, from a Cobra helicopter over the Sholema range in the Negev desert. The Poles were provided with a seeker which was subjected to tests at the Military Institute of Weapons Technology (WITU:

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Wojskowy Institut Techniczny Uzbrojenia) in February 1995. The Poles were tentatively planning to procure the NT-D. The original plan was to acquire 2,000 NT-D missiles for their PZL Huszar armed helicopters, plus an additional 3,000 Spike-MR for the Army with deliveries scheduled to begin in 1999. There were plans to co-produce the missiles in Poland. The Polish requirement is for a missile capable of hitting a moving tank target at 6 km. The Polish dec is io n w a s u n d e r min e d b y developmental delays on the NT-D missile and the test was continually delayed. An initial demonstration launch of a production NT-D from a helicopter took place in Israel with Polish officials present during the second week of January 1997, using an Israeli Cobra attack helicopter as the launch platform. Apparently some of the early tests in Israel were unsatisfactory, leading to a timetable for a successful launch. There were also some concerns over discrepancies between Israeli statements about missile performance, and data from the trials. The test launch missed the 30 November 1996 deadline, leading to a loss of funding for the PZL-Swidnik helicopter program, and causing a certain amount of problems in Poland. Polish officials refused to reveal the results of the NT-D firing. In October 1997, the departing Democratic-Left Alliance government rushed into a contract deal with Israel for about $500 million for the missiles and $200 million for the avionics. The incoming AWS/Solidarity Electoral Action government however, later said that the contract was under review for potential improprieties and it was halted in November 1997. The Spike deal was renegotiated after Rafael ironed out the production problems, and the Polish government officially announced plans to acquire the system in August 2002. Under the current program, Poland will acquire 300 Spike MR and/or LR launchers for the infantry at a cost of Z1,309 million, and modify 40 Mi-24 helicopters to fire the Spike-ER at a cost

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NT Spike
Puma 2000 helicopter. IAR officials indicated that the missile had been developed in collaboration with a third party country, presumably Israel. Romanian placed an order for about 1,000 Spike-ER missiles in 1998 for use from the modernized IAR-330 SOCAT helicopters; missile integration on the helicopter was undertaken by Eurospike/Rheinmetall. Romania apparently placed a follow-on order for Spike LR missiles in 2005 to arm the MLI-84 IFV with Eurospike/ Rheinmetall helping to develop the unmanned turret. Singapore In late 1999, it was announced that Singapore had become the first customer for the Spike-LR. Few details on the scope of the order were released, but the contract is apparently for 900 missiles. Singapore Technologies Dynamics has set up a joint venture with Rafael called Smart Systems Pte. Ltd. to manufacture the Spike locally for Asian requirements. Slovenia Slovenia reportedly ordered the Spike for mounting on armored vehicles. South Africa There have been reports that South Africa has acquired the Spike missile, but details are lacking. Spain On 11 January 2006, Spain selected the NT Spike over the Raytheon Javelin to fulfill a long delayed requirement for a light/medium ATGM. The scope of the program is about $425 million with General Dynamics-Santa Barbara Sistemas (GC-SBS) in Oveido and Granada responsible for about 60% of the work; Rafales share is expected to be about $160 million. The program is stated to include 260 launchers and 2,600 Spike LR missiles with the contract to be completed by 2014. In December 2007, Spain decided to acquire the Spike-LR for its Tiger attack helicopters instead of the Hellfire or TriGAT. The $64 million (Euro 44 million) contract went to General Dynamics Sanata Barbara Sistemas in Madrid who will act as the prime contractor with delivery scheduled to be complete by 2012. Turkey In January 1998, a partnership arrangement was announced between Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI) and Kamov Helicopters in Russia to market the Ka-50 attack helicopter in the current Turkish competition. One of the optional armaments being offered for the Ka-50 is the NT-D missile. Turkey has also examined the use of the Spike from its Cobra light armored vehicles. UK In February 2001, the British MoD awarded two contracts valued at $8.8 million for a yearlong assessment of the Javelin and Spike/Spike-MR. The Spike was being offered by Rafael teamed with Matra Bae Dynamics (now MBDA) while the Javelin by a team of Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. The UK would like to field a light weight antitank missile system for its Joint Rapid Reaction Force by 2005. In February 2003, the British MoD selected the Javelin. USA The Spike was offered by Rafael as a possible contender in the US Army JAWS missile program in 1996, now called FOTT (Follow-On-To-TOW). The offer was rejected but there have been suggestions that the missile might be test as part of US Foreign Comparative Trials. Export Summary The table below lists reported customers and details, where available, of their purchases.

of Z828 million. The deal includes some level of co-production at ZM Mesko in Skarzysko-Kamienna. The contract was finally signed on 29 December 2003. The initial contract covered only the Spike-LR for the infantry and will include 264 launchers and 2,675 missiles for delivery between 2004 and 2013. The first delivery of 2 launchers and 20 missiles was scheduled for late 2004. The contract value to the Polish partner, ZM Mesko was Z1.49 billion ($397 million). The same day, the Bumar Capital G r o u p s ig n e d a s e p a r a te agreement with Rafael for about $230 million connected with the associated technology transfer. Poland plans a separate contract for 96 Spike-LR systems which will be used on the new WZM/AMV light armored vehicles. The Poles received the first 20 NT Spike missiles directly from Israel in the second half of 2004 with 60 more plus 24 launchers slated for 2005. The 2006 batch is expected to total 32 launchers and 200 missiles. Poland will undertake final partial manufacture of the missile at the ZM Mesko plant in Skarzysko Kamienie, and a contract valued at Zl 1.4 billion ($430 million) was signed in December 2003. Associated plants are expected to include Praemyslowe Centrum Optyki in Warsaw (optics), Gamrat in Jaslo (rocket fuel) and PZL Plant no. 2 in Warsaw (electronics). In 2005, the Polish content of the missile was expected to be about 25% with the offset agreement requiring Rafael to acquire Polish components for its own manufacturing program. The first missiles were deployed with the 17th Mechanized Brigade in early 2005. Polish sources have stated the price of a finished missile is about $100,000 which is higher than most other published estimates. Romania At the 1997 Paris Air Show, Romania displayed a full-scale model of a missile essentially the same as NT-D as part of a display of its new IAR

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NT Spike
Country Azerbaijan Chile Colombia Croatia Czech Republic Ecuador Finland Germany Italy Netherlands Korea (RoK) Peru Poland Romania Singapore Slovenia South Africa Spain Spain Turkey Total Current Development Spike C4I The IDF has begun receiving an enhanced version of the Spike system dubbed Spike C4I. This variant incorporates an Azimuth Comet GPS system on the launcher together with a laptop and a VHF datalink to permit networking with army C4I systems. Spike NLOS In December 2009, Rafael announced the debut of the new Spike NLOS. This is a substantially larger missile than the Spike ER, weighing about 70 kg vs. 34 kg. The weight difference is due to a larger motor and larger flight control package to exLaunchers n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 118 311 365 297 n/a 24 264 n/a n/a n/a n/a 260 44 n/a >1,683 Missiles n/a 900 n/a n/a n/a Spike-LR 244 700 Spike-MR, ER n/a 2,000 Spike 2,400 Spike-MR n/a 244 2,675 Spike-LR 1,750 Spike-ER ~900 Spike-MR? 75 MR & LR n/a 2,600 Spike-LR Spike-ER (helo) n/a > 14,488 Contract value ($m) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a $51m n/a n/a $150m n/a n/a $400m n/a n/a n/a n/a $425m $64 n/a >$1,090m

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tend the range. Although the Spike NLOS can employ the usual fiber-optic guidance at ranges up to 8km, at ranges beyond that, a new radio command link is used. The system is intended mainly for heavy launchers, specifically vehicles and helicopters as the missile is not man-portable.

Teal Group Analysis

With the demise of the European TriGAT-MR program, the prospects for Spike have brightened considerably. It remains the most viable competitor to the US Javelin, and has won several European contracts. The Spikes loss to the Javelin in the British and French competitions has been a serious blow to its prospects in the European market. Given the anti-Israeli sentiments in the past German governments, sales to Germany were unlikely, but the prospects have improved under the new Merkel CDU government with its possible selection to arm the Puma IFV; there have apparently been small orders for the Bundeswehrs light units for combat use in Afghanistan. Turkey would be a significant market if it werent for the lingering economic problems there which continue to undermine long term defense modernization as well as growing estrangement from Israel under the current government. Total orders to date In Europe are about 10,000 missiles and over 1,000 launchers with a value of about $1 billion. Spike has some prospects in Asia, and a sale to India is conceivable, although there have been reports that Javelin has been picked. Indias indigenous Nag program is in rocky shape. The market for antitank missiles has slipped over the past decade since the end of the Cold War. The new accent has been on light ATGMs that can be used by special forces and peacekeeping forces. Spike-MR and Spike might find a niche in this market. However, these missiles face stiff competition at the low end from lighter missiles such as Eryx, and at the upper end from Javelin.

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NT Spike

Production Forecast
User (Variant) Rafael Israel (Spike) export (Spike) Total Thru 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 500 500 2015 500 500 2016 500 500 2017 500 500 2018 500 500 2019 500 500 2020 Total

2,300 200 200 8,500 1,250 1,000 1,000 10,800 1,450 1,200 1,000

2,700 500 15,250 500 17,950

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March 2011

World Missiles & UAVs Briefing

Teal Group Corporation