Army to fire Spike non-line-of-sight (NLOS) missiles from AH-64E Apache to gauge utility with helicopters
YUMA PROVING GROUND, Ariz. – In its quest to arm future aircraft, the U.S. Army is hosting a demonstration to determine if it can fire Rafael Spike non-line-of-sight (NLOS) missiles from U.S. helicopters. Jane's 360 reports. Continue reading original article
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
12 Aug. 2019 -- In its quest to arm future aircraft, the Army is hosting a demonstration to determine if it can fire Rafael Spike non-line-of-sight (NLOS) missiles from U.S. helicopters.
The service is to conduct experiments at Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz., later this month as a response to Army validated operational needs statements and help identify capabilities supporting the Future Vertical Lift [FVL] ecosystem. As part of the upcoming demonstration, the army will use a Boeing AH-64E Apache aircraft to conduct the Spike NLOS demo.
FVL is part of the army's effort to modernize its weapons portfolio. Although there are five potential helicopter sizes under FVL, the service is currently focused on two - a Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) to fill the gap left by the retirement of the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior fleet and a Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) designed to replace the UH-60 Black Hawk fleet.
Related: Navy chooses thermal batteries from EaglePicher to extend life of HARM anti-radar missiles
Related: Army and Lockheed Martin prepare for production of advanced laser-guided Hellfire missile
John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics