Announced new anti-tank missile Spike LR II (Israel)
On the eve of the exhibition of weapons and military equipment traditionally come out announcements of new models of a particular class. A few days ago the Israeli company Raphael told about its new development in the field of guided missile weapons. The prospective model is designed to complement the existing complexes of the Spike family and increase the potential of the relevant units of the army. Full demonstration of the new weapons, however, has not yet been carried out. Aerospace show at Le Bourget will be the venue for the “premiere”.
The first information about a promising anti-tank guided missile called the Spike LR II was published on 29 in May. Until that day, no data on the new family project had been disclosed in open sources. According to published information, the new rocket is a further development of existing samples, which differs from its predecessors in the basic equipment and equipment. As a result, a noticeable increase in basic technical and combat characteristics is achieved. Obtaining higher characteristics made it possible to attribute the new missile to the fifth generation of ATGM.
The new version of the rocket was named Spike LR II - Long Range II (“Long range, 2 model”). In connection with the emergence of a new ammunition, the existing basic modification should now bear the updated designation Spike LR I. In addition, the promising product received the additional name “Gil-2”, which also takes into account the “traditions” of the name of the family complexes.
According to official data, the prospective guided missile must retain all the main features and functions envisaged in previous family projects. The Spike LR II product can be used with all available launchers designed to use Spike MR and Spike LR missiles. Thanks to this rocket will be able to carry land vehicles, ships and aircraft equipped with serial launchers.
The Spike MK and Spike LR missile systems of the two versions can be used in different configurations. So, for infantry, an option is offered on a tripod-mounted machine equipped with the necessary sighting devices and firing controls. A similar launcher can be used on self-propelled platforms of various types. There are also remote-controlled installations offered for deployment in areas with increased enemy activity. The available launch systems are compatible not only with land, but also with marine equipment. There are also specialized launchers offered for use by combat helicopters.
For the use of new-type missiles, existing launchers do not need to be redesigned. All improvements of these devices concern only the software. Thus, before using the Spike LR II rocket, the troops will only need to update the firmware of the units, which will take a minimum time.
Compatibility of the new rocket with existing launchers was obtained, first of all, through the use of the technical aspect developed in the framework of previous projects of the family. The Spike LR II missile, like its predecessors, is equipped with a cylindrical body of large elongation with a rounded head fairing. In the central and tail parts of the hull there are small compartments to accommodate X-shaped wings and rudders that are laid out in flight.
The layout of the rocket, apparently, also did not undergo significant changes. Recall that in the head of the previous Spike missiles, the homing head was placed together with the main part of the electronics of the control systems. Directly behind it was the leading charge of the tandem warhead (when using armor-piercing equipment), behind which was a solid-fuel motor. The central compartment contained part of the instrumentation, and behind it was the main shaped charge. The tail section was used for installing steering gears, a starting engine and a reel with a remote control cable.
The main innovation of the project Spike LR II is a new homing head with enhanced characteristics. Especially for the promising ATGM, a new opto-electronic homing head with two detection channels was created. The structure of the GOS uses an uncooled infrared radiation sensor and a color image camera, which gives an HD picture. Due to the refusal of the cylinder for the refrigerant and all other pipelines, it was possible to reduce the size of the infrared homing system, as well as reduce the mass of the rocket as a whole, while maintaining acceptable performance.
The Spike LR II missile received signal processing facilities with which it is able to monitor various types of targets, including under difficult conditions. As stated, in the video signal processing system, elements of artificial intelligence were used, with the help of which the tracking of low-contrast or disappearing objects is ensured. Also declared the possibility of overcoming the active and dynamic protection of armored vehicles with the help of some control algorithms.
The rocket control system has also undergone significant changes. Previous Spike products have used fiber optic cable unrolled from a reel in the tail of a rocket to transfer data. In the new project Spike LR II, this data transfer option was refused. Now information is exchanged via a secure radio channel. At the same time, the possibility of transmitting the video signal to the operator’s console and receiving commands during the flight is retained. The airborne missile control system can now receive target designation not only from the respective carrier media, but also from the tactical control system, which simplifies and speeds up the preparation for the shot.
For a new type of missile, two combat units for various purposes, Armor-piercing and multipurpose, were developed. The first is based on a tandem scheme and includes two separated cumulative charges of different power. With its help, a rocket can hit enemy armored vehicles, including those equipped with dynamic defense. It is argued that the armor penetration of the new missile 30% exceeds its predecessors. Multipurpose warhead also has a tandem architecture, but it is designed to solve other problems. Thus, in the high-explosive mode, a simultaneous detonation of both charges is carried out, leading to the fragmentation of fragments. There is also a concrete mode, in which the leading charge punches up to 20 cm of reinforced concrete, after which the main charge gets inside the attacked object and explodes.
In terms of its dimensions, the new Spike LR II rocket is no different from previous products of the family. The total length of the rocket with the transport and launch container - 1,67 m, diameter - 170 mm. At the same time managed to achieve some reduction in starting mass. Thus, the Spike LR I serial missile weighed 14 kg, while the new ammunition weighs only 12,7 kg.
Despite the weight loss, a new type of Spike rocket shows higher flight data. When using a Spike LR II ATGM with a ground-based launcher, the firing range reaches 5,5 km. For comparison, the long-range missile of the first version flew only 4 km. Aviation the carrier platform can significantly increase maximum flight performance. So, the missile flight range when launched from a helicopter is declared at 10 km.
At the moment, the project of a promising anti-tank missile is under development. The company "Raphael" has already presented basic information about the product and its main features, as well as published three-dimensional images of the rocket. Soon the next aerospace salon Le Bourget is to be held in France, during which the official "premiere" of the project will take place. Apparently, in the pavilions of the salon will show mockups of new weapons.
Project development, testing and other work will continue for a certain time. According to a recent press release from the development company, the Spike LR II ATGM will reach a state of alert at the end of 2018. After that, will be able to start mass production. In addition, at the same time, the first supply contracts may appear.
As follows from the published data, a new type of anti-tank missile will be able to enter into service with the Israel Defense Forces or other countries already operating Spike line-ups. At the same time, the introduction and assimilation of a new weapon with enhanced characteristics will be relatively simple and will not require much effort. One of the goals of the new project was to ensure the full compatibility of the upgraded rocket and existing launchers.
For obvious reasons, the exact prospects of the new Israeli-launched missile remain unknown. Nevertheless, already now it is possible to make some predictions claiming to be reliable. There is every reason to expect that the Spike LR II ATGM will indeed go into series and enter service with various armies. The starting customer is likely to be the Israeli armed forces. The developer country exploits all the Spike family complexes in different versions, and therefore the new product of this line is quite capable of fitting into the Israeli army's armament of armaments with the corresponding advantages for its combat potential.
The appearance of new export contracts looks very likely. As of the end of last year, Raphael delivered around 27 thousand Spike missiles of all 26 modifications to foreign armies. Thus, at least, some of the foreign customers may show interest in a new missile weapon and acquire it. Finally, we should not exclude the possibility of agreements with completely new customers. According to its characteristics, the Spike LR II rocket exceeds a significant number of foreign analogues, and therefore can attract the attention of potential buyers.
The Spike missile systems have been in service with the Israel Defense Forces since the early eighties. Since that time, several new models and modifications of weapons based on similar solutions and using the same principles of operation have been created. Despite the solid age of the family, the development of such technology continues. Just a few days ago, Raphael first spoke about the new version of the ATGM with advanced features. Soon, this weapon should become an exhibit of the military-technical exhibition, and in the foreseeable future will have the opportunity to enter into service with those or other armies.
On the materials of the sites:
http://janes.com/
http://israeldefense.co.il/
http://rafael.co.il/
http://globalsecurity.org/
http://bmpd.livejournal.com/
The first information about a promising anti-tank guided missile called the Spike LR II was published on 29 in May. Until that day, no data on the new family project had been disclosed in open sources. According to published information, the new rocket is a further development of existing samples, which differs from its predecessors in the basic equipment and equipment. As a result, a noticeable increase in basic technical and combat characteristics is achieved. Obtaining higher characteristics made it possible to attribute the new missile to the fifth generation of ATGM.
The new version of the rocket was named Spike LR II - Long Range II (“Long range, 2 model”). In connection with the emergence of a new ammunition, the existing basic modification should now bear the updated designation Spike LR I. In addition, the promising product received the additional name “Gil-2”, which also takes into account the “traditions” of the name of the family complexes.
According to official data, the prospective guided missile must retain all the main features and functions envisaged in previous family projects. The Spike LR II product can be used with all available launchers designed to use Spike MR and Spike LR missiles. Thanks to this rocket will be able to carry land vehicles, ships and aircraft equipped with serial launchers.
The Spike MK and Spike LR missile systems of the two versions can be used in different configurations. So, for infantry, an option is offered on a tripod-mounted machine equipped with the necessary sighting devices and firing controls. A similar launcher can be used on self-propelled platforms of various types. There are also remote-controlled installations offered for deployment in areas with increased enemy activity. The available launch systems are compatible not only with land, but also with marine equipment. There are also specialized launchers offered for use by combat helicopters.
For the use of new-type missiles, existing launchers do not need to be redesigned. All improvements of these devices concern only the software. Thus, before using the Spike LR II rocket, the troops will only need to update the firmware of the units, which will take a minimum time.
Compatibility of the new rocket with existing launchers was obtained, first of all, through the use of the technical aspect developed in the framework of previous projects of the family. The Spike LR II missile, like its predecessors, is equipped with a cylindrical body of large elongation with a rounded head fairing. In the central and tail parts of the hull there are small compartments to accommodate X-shaped wings and rudders that are laid out in flight.
The layout of the rocket, apparently, also did not undergo significant changes. Recall that in the head of the previous Spike missiles, the homing head was placed together with the main part of the electronics of the control systems. Directly behind it was the leading charge of the tandem warhead (when using armor-piercing equipment), behind which was a solid-fuel motor. The central compartment contained part of the instrumentation, and behind it was the main shaped charge. The tail section was used for installing steering gears, a starting engine and a reel with a remote control cable.
The main innovation of the project Spike LR II is a new homing head with enhanced characteristics. Especially for the promising ATGM, a new opto-electronic homing head with two detection channels was created. The structure of the GOS uses an uncooled infrared radiation sensor and a color image camera, which gives an HD picture. Due to the refusal of the cylinder for the refrigerant and all other pipelines, it was possible to reduce the size of the infrared homing system, as well as reduce the mass of the rocket as a whole, while maintaining acceptable performance.
The Spike LR II missile received signal processing facilities with which it is able to monitor various types of targets, including under difficult conditions. As stated, in the video signal processing system, elements of artificial intelligence were used, with the help of which the tracking of low-contrast or disappearing objects is ensured. Also declared the possibility of overcoming the active and dynamic protection of armored vehicles with the help of some control algorithms.
The rocket control system has also undergone significant changes. Previous Spike products have used fiber optic cable unrolled from a reel in the tail of a rocket to transfer data. In the new project Spike LR II, this data transfer option was refused. Now information is exchanged via a secure radio channel. At the same time, the possibility of transmitting the video signal to the operator’s console and receiving commands during the flight is retained. The airborne missile control system can now receive target designation not only from the respective carrier media, but also from the tactical control system, which simplifies and speeds up the preparation for the shot.
For a new type of missile, two combat units for various purposes, Armor-piercing and multipurpose, were developed. The first is based on a tandem scheme and includes two separated cumulative charges of different power. With its help, a rocket can hit enemy armored vehicles, including those equipped with dynamic defense. It is argued that the armor penetration of the new missile 30% exceeds its predecessors. Multipurpose warhead also has a tandem architecture, but it is designed to solve other problems. Thus, in the high-explosive mode, a simultaneous detonation of both charges is carried out, leading to the fragmentation of fragments. There is also a concrete mode, in which the leading charge punches up to 20 cm of reinforced concrete, after which the main charge gets inside the attacked object and explodes.
In terms of its dimensions, the new Spike LR II rocket is no different from previous products of the family. The total length of the rocket with the transport and launch container - 1,67 m, diameter - 170 mm. At the same time managed to achieve some reduction in starting mass. Thus, the Spike LR I serial missile weighed 14 kg, while the new ammunition weighs only 12,7 kg.
Despite the weight loss, a new type of Spike rocket shows higher flight data. When using a Spike LR II ATGM with a ground-based launcher, the firing range reaches 5,5 km. For comparison, the long-range missile of the first version flew only 4 km. Aviation the carrier platform can significantly increase maximum flight performance. So, the missile flight range when launched from a helicopter is declared at 10 km.
At the moment, the project of a promising anti-tank missile is under development. The company "Raphael" has already presented basic information about the product and its main features, as well as published three-dimensional images of the rocket. Soon the next aerospace salon Le Bourget is to be held in France, during which the official "premiere" of the project will take place. Apparently, in the pavilions of the salon will show mockups of new weapons.
Project development, testing and other work will continue for a certain time. According to a recent press release from the development company, the Spike LR II ATGM will reach a state of alert at the end of 2018. After that, will be able to start mass production. In addition, at the same time, the first supply contracts may appear.
As follows from the published data, a new type of anti-tank missile will be able to enter into service with the Israel Defense Forces or other countries already operating Spike line-ups. At the same time, the introduction and assimilation of a new weapon with enhanced characteristics will be relatively simple and will not require much effort. One of the goals of the new project was to ensure the full compatibility of the upgraded rocket and existing launchers.
For obvious reasons, the exact prospects of the new Israeli-launched missile remain unknown. Nevertheless, already now it is possible to make some predictions claiming to be reliable. There is every reason to expect that the Spike LR II ATGM will indeed go into series and enter service with various armies. The starting customer is likely to be the Israeli armed forces. The developer country exploits all the Spike family complexes in different versions, and therefore the new product of this line is quite capable of fitting into the Israeli army's armament of armaments with the corresponding advantages for its combat potential.
The appearance of new export contracts looks very likely. As of the end of last year, Raphael delivered around 27 thousand Spike missiles of all 26 modifications to foreign armies. Thus, at least, some of the foreign customers may show interest in a new missile weapon and acquire it. Finally, we should not exclude the possibility of agreements with completely new customers. According to its characteristics, the Spike LR II rocket exceeds a significant number of foreign analogues, and therefore can attract the attention of potential buyers.
The Spike missile systems have been in service with the Israel Defense Forces since the early eighties. Since that time, several new models and modifications of weapons based on similar solutions and using the same principles of operation have been created. Despite the solid age of the family, the development of such technology continues. Just a few days ago, Raphael first spoke about the new version of the ATGM with advanced features. Soon, this weapon should become an exhibit of the military-technical exhibition, and in the foreseeable future will have the opportunity to enter into service with those or other armies.
On the materials of the sites:
http://janes.com/
http://israeldefense.co.il/
http://rafael.co.il/
http://globalsecurity.org/
http://bmpd.livejournal.com/
Information