Italy - 3 june 2009
On 26th May 2009, at the Capo Teulada firing range, Oto Melara, a Finmeccanica Company, and the Israeli Rafael, respectively designer and manufacturer of the 25mm HITFIST® PLUS turret integrated with the SPIKE kit the former, designer and supplier of the SPIKE missiles and of the launching control kit the latter, have performed very important launching trials necessary for the industrial validation of the weapon system.
After firing a couple of inert ammunition (Ejection Test) in order to validate the missile launching phase from the two launchers, two Medium Range SPIKE missiles in Fire and Forget mode, followed by two Long Range in Fire and Observe version, have been fired against targets situated at distances of more than 2.000 and 3.000 meters that have been successfully hit.
These trials are part of the anti-tank Freccia vehicle homologation program that the Iveco-Oto Melara Consortium is carrying on.
The activities will continue in the following weeks with launches of SPIKE Long Range missiles performed by the Italian Army technical personnel.
This trial campaign will be concluded within the next month of June, while the homologation of the whole anti-tank Freccia system will follow within a short period of time.
Source: Oto Melara
Spike is a third generation anti-tank guided missile developed by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.
Versions
Spike-SR is the short range version of the weapon. It has a range of some 800 meters and is intended for infantry use.
Spike-MR (also known as Gil) is the medium range version. Its range is 2,500 meters (2,5 km) and is used by infantry and special forces. The weight of the missile is 13.5 kg, and the canister itself weighs 13 kg. The launcher, battery, tripod and the launcher are also used by other land-based versions of the Spike missile family, each weighing 13 kg, 1 kg, 3 kg, and 9 kg respectively.
Spike-LR is the long range version. It has a maximum range of 4,000 meters (4 km) and is used by infantry and light combat vehicles
Spike-ER is the extended range or extra long range version of the weapon. It was formerly also known as the NT-Dandy or NT-D. It has a maximum range of 8,000 meters (8 km). It has a larger diameter and is heavier than the other systems, and is usually vehicle mounted. It is used by infantry, LCVs, and helicopters. The Finnish Coastal Jaegers also operates the version in the anti-ship role. The weight of the missile is 34 kg, the launchers are 30 kg and 55 kg respectively for the vehicle and air-launched versions.
On 26th May 2009, at the Capo Teulada firing range, Oto Melara, a Finmeccanica Company, and the Israeli Rafael, respectively designer and manufacturer of the 25mm HITFIST® PLUS turret integrated with the SPIKE kit the former, designer and supplier of the SPIKE missiles and of the launching control kit the latter, have performed very important launching trials necessary for the industrial validation of the weapon system.
After firing a couple of inert ammunition (Ejection Test) in order to validate the missile launching phase from the two launchers, two Medium Range SPIKE missiles in Fire and Forget mode, followed by two Long Range in Fire and Observe version, have been fired against targets situated at distances of more than 2.000 and 3.000 meters that have been successfully hit.
These trials are part of the anti-tank Freccia vehicle homologation program that the Iveco-Oto Melara Consortium is carrying on.
The activities will continue in the following weeks with launches of SPIKE Long Range missiles performed by the Italian Army technical personnel.
This trial campaign will be concluded within the next month of June, while the homologation of the whole anti-tank Freccia system will follow within a short period of time.
Source: Oto Melara
Spike is a third generation anti-tank guided missile developed by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.
Versions
Spike-SR is the short range version of the weapon. It has a range of some 800 meters and is intended for infantry use.
Spike-MR (also known as Gil) is the medium range version. Its range is 2,500 meters (2,5 km) and is used by infantry and special forces. The weight of the missile is 13.5 kg, and the canister itself weighs 13 kg. The launcher, battery, tripod and the launcher are also used by other land-based versions of the Spike missile family, each weighing 13 kg, 1 kg, 3 kg, and 9 kg respectively.
Spike-LR is the long range version. It has a maximum range of 4,000 meters (4 km) and is used by infantry and light combat vehicles
Spike-ER is the extended range or extra long range version of the weapon. It was formerly also known as the NT-Dandy or NT-D. It has a maximum range of 8,000 meters (8 km). It has a larger diameter and is heavier than the other systems, and is usually vehicle mounted. It is used by infantry, LCVs, and helicopters. The Finnish Coastal Jaegers also operates the version in the anti-ship role. The weight of the missile is 34 kg, the launchers are 30 kg and 55 kg respectively for the vehicle and air-launched versions.
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