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September 17, 2025
The US Army’s AH-64 Apache Helicopters Have a Deadly New Weapon
Manufactured by Israeli defense contractor Rafael, the SPIKE NLOS missile has been in service for years—and has seen extensive combat in the Israeli Defense Forces’ operations in the Levant.The post The US Army’s AH-64 Apache Helicopters Have a Deadly New Weapon appeared first on The National Interest.
The US Army's fleet of AH-64 Apache attack helicopters is getting a significant firepower boost, thanks to the integration of the SPIKE NLOS missile. This advanced weapon, produced by Israeli defense contractor Rafael, promises to extend the Apache's reach and lethality on the modern battlefield.
The SPIKE NLOS, which stands for Non-Line Of Sight, is a precision-guided missile designed to engage targets at extended ranges, even when they are obscured by terrain or other obstacles. This capability is crucial in contemporary warfare, where adversaries often employ tactics to conceal themselves and their equipment. With the SPIKE NLOS, Apache pilots can now strike enemy positions from a safer distance, reducing their vulnerability to counter-fire.
While the missile is new to the US Army's Apache program, it's a seasoned weapon system, having been deployed and battle-tested by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) for several years. The IDF has utilized the SPIKE NLOS extensively in operations throughout the Levant, gaining valuable experience in its operational effectiveness and identifying areas for potential improvement. This combat history provides the US Army with a degree of confidence in the missile's reliability and performance.
The integration of the SPIKE NLOS onto the Apache helicopters represents a significant upgrade in the US Army's air-to-ground capabilities. Its extended range and precision guidance allow the Apache to engage a wider array of targets, including armored vehicles, fortified positions, and even naval vessels, from a standoff distance. This not only enhances the Apache's offensive capabilities but also improves its survivability on the battlefield.
The addition of the SPIKE NLOS is expected to significantly enhance the Apache's role in supporting ground troops, providing crucial fire support in complex and dynamic environments. The missile's ability to strike targets beyond the line of sight will allow Apache pilots to neutralize threats that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to engage, giving friendly forces a decisive advantage. The US Army is likely to carefully analyze the IDF's operational experience with the missile to further refine its tactics and procedures for employing the SPIKE NLOS in future conflicts.
The SPIKE NLOS, which stands for Non-Line Of Sight, is a precision-guided missile designed to engage targets at extended ranges, even when they are obscured by terrain or other obstacles. This capability is crucial in contemporary warfare, where adversaries often employ tactics to conceal themselves and their equipment. With the SPIKE NLOS, Apache pilots can now strike enemy positions from a safer distance, reducing their vulnerability to counter-fire.
While the missile is new to the US Army's Apache program, it's a seasoned weapon system, having been deployed and battle-tested by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) for several years. The IDF has utilized the SPIKE NLOS extensively in operations throughout the Levant, gaining valuable experience in its operational effectiveness and identifying areas for potential improvement. This combat history provides the US Army with a degree of confidence in the missile's reliability and performance.
The integration of the SPIKE NLOS onto the Apache helicopters represents a significant upgrade in the US Army's air-to-ground capabilities. Its extended range and precision guidance allow the Apache to engage a wider array of targets, including armored vehicles, fortified positions, and even naval vessels, from a standoff distance. This not only enhances the Apache's offensive capabilities but also improves its survivability on the battlefield.
The addition of the SPIKE NLOS is expected to significantly enhance the Apache's role in supporting ground troops, providing crucial fire support in complex and dynamic environments. The missile's ability to strike targets beyond the line of sight will allow Apache pilots to neutralize threats that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to engage, giving friendly forces a decisive advantage. The US Army is likely to carefully analyze the IDF's operational experience with the missile to further refine its tactics and procedures for employing the SPIKE NLOS in future conflicts.
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