The US Army is testing the Apache helicopter equipped with the Spike NLOS missile in Iraq as part of operational preparations. The 101st Combat Aviation Brigade aims to integrate this enhanced capability effectively against the Islamic State. The Spike missile significantly extends engagement range compared to traditional munitions.
The United States Army has conducted a flight test of the AH-64 Apache helicopter armed with the Spike NLOS (Non Line-of-Sight) missile at Erbil Air Base in Iraq. This demonstration was part of operational testing to prepare the missile for integration with the attack helicopter, specifically assigned to the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade. A training variant of the Spike missile was utilized for the first time in this capacity with a conventional army unit. Previously, the Spike missile had been evaluated in locations such as Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, and Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, along with testing in Germany.
This flight marks one of the concluding phases prior to the Spike missile being operational for combat use. Colonel Tyler Partridge, commander of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, stated, “The 101 Combat Aviation Brigade continues to find opportunities to transform in contact and advance Army aviation integration in the combined arms fight.” He emphasized that testing the Spike NLOS with the Apache allows for enhanced readiness for real-world employment, thereby contributing additional combat capability to ground forces.
The 101st plans to employ the Spike missile during its ongoing deployment in support of the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, which is focused on the engagement against the Islamic State. The Spike missile offers a significant increase in range over traditional options, exceeding four times that of the Hellfire missile, achieving an operational distance of 32 kilometers (20 miles). In comparison, the AH-64 is also equipped with the AGM-114 Hellfire and the AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missile, possessing ranges from 7 to 16 kilometers (4 to 10 miles).
Equipped with multi-purpose warheads, the Spike missile enhances operational versatility, effective against tanks, structures, surface ships, and personnel. The missile’s electro-optical and infrared guidance systems enable real-time video imagery, giving operators dynamic control through mid-flight retargeting and mission abort capabilities. For its capacity to deliver long-range precision, the US Army has selected the Spike missile for its Interim-Long Range Precision Munition program after successful competitive evaluations in November 2022, details of which remain undisclosed due to sensitivity.
The recent flight test of the Apache helicopter armed with the Spike NLOS missile marks a significant advancement in the Army’s operational capabilities. The collaboration within the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade aims to enhance combat readiness and effectiveness in the ongoing battle against the Islamic State. With its extended range and versatile targeting options, the Spike missile is set to play a crucial role in current and future military operations.
Original Source: thedefensepost.com
