U.S. Deploys AH-64 Apache Helicopters Armed with 32km-Range Spike NLOS Missiles in Iraq
An AH-64 Apache helicopter of the U.S. Army was spotted equipped with Spike NLOS missiles from Erbil Air Base in Iraq—a strategic location serving as a vital operational hub for American military activities across Iraq and the broader region.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – In a significant milestone for aerial warfare, the United States has deployed AH-64 Apache attack helicopters armed with Israeli-made Spike NLOS (Non-Line of Sight) missiles to Iraq, marking the inaugural operational use of this advanced missile system in an active conflict zone.
An AH-64 Apache helicopter of the U.S. Army was spotted equipped with Spike NLOS missiles from Erbil Air Base in Iraq—a strategic location serving as a vital operational hub for American military activities across Iraq and the broader region.
The U.S. Army maintains a presence at Erbil Air Base (also known as Harir Air Base) in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
The base serves as a critical operational hub supporting U.S. and coalition military activities against ISIS, and for broader strategic operations in the Middle East.
It hosts personnel from the U.S. Army, Air Force, and coalition partners involved in training, advising, and supporting Iraqi and Kurdish security forces.
The deployment of these AH-64 Apaches equipped with Spike NLOS missiles represents a notable leap forward in the U.S. Army’s air combat capabilities, underscoring the rapidly evolving dynamics of aerial combat operations in this strategically important region.
The integration of these precision-guided missiles significantly expands the operational reach and enhances pinpoint strike capabilities of U.S. forces.
Unlike the standard AGM-114 Hellfire and AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM) traditionally used by Apache helicopters, the Spike NLOS missile boasts an impressive operational range of up to 32 kilometers (20 miles).
It is equipped with a sophisticated multi-mode guidance system that enables either autonomous targeting or direct operator control, providing unprecedented tactical flexibility.
The Spike NLOS (Non-Line of Sight) missile system, developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, typically has a standard operational range of 25 to 32 kilometers (approximately 20 miles), with advanced variants capable of reaching up to 50 kilometers, and is known for precision targeting through real-time guidance using electro-optical seekers, enabling effective engagements beyond visual range.
By comparison, the AGM-114 Hellfire and AGM-179 JAGM missiles have operational ranges of only 7 to 11 kilometers (4 to 7 miles) and 8 to 16 kilometers (5 to 10 miles), respectively.
This latest deployment follows extensive operational testing and rigorous training exercises conducted by the U.S. Army’s renowned 101st Combat Aviation Brigade (101st CAB).
Earlier this month, the brigade achieved a historic milestone by successfully operating an AH-64 Apache helicopter equipped with training variants of the Spike NLOS missile, demonstrating critical progress in integrating this advanced weapon system with the Apache’s onboard combat systems.
Colonel Tyler Partridge, commander of the 101st CAB, emphasized the significance of this development in a statement released by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS): “Operational testing of Spike NLOS munitions integrated with the AH-64E V6 systems significantly enhances our readiness for real-world engagements, providing increased combat power and capability to our ground forces.”
The incorporation of this advanced missile system is anticipated to markedly improve the effectiveness of U.S. military operations by enabling precise engagements against enemy targets from safer distances, thereby significantly reducing vulnerability to hostile air-defense systems.
Developed by Israeli defense company Rafael and adapted for American military requirements by Lockheed Martin, the Spike NLOS missile has been operational within the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) since the 1980s.
Over the ensuing decades, the missile system has undergone substantial upgrades aimed at increasing accuracy, operational range, and tactical versatility.
Unlike the laser-guided Hellfire missile, the Spike NLOS incorporates a “man-in-the-loop” (MITL) targeting mechanism, enabling real-time operator control of the missile via an onboard infrared camera.
This innovative feature allows operators to adjust targeting during missile flight, precisely engage moving targets, and swiftly switch targets as battlefield conditions evolve.
— DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA
