U.S. Army Deploys Israeli Spike NLOS Missiles on Apache AH-64E Helicopters

The U.S. Army has deployed Israeli Rafael's Spike Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) missile on its AH-64E Version 6 attack helicopters, significantly enhancing their long-range strike capabilities.

The Army Recognition website reported that high-resolution images confirmed the presence of these advanced guided missiles during the Allied Spirit exercises in Germany, where they were tested in a multinational operational environment.

The Spike NLOS extends the Apache’s strike capability to 32 kilometers—four times the range of the AGM-114 Hellfire and AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM), which have traditionally been the primary air-to-ground munitions for U.S. attack helicopters. This increased range allows engagement of strategic targets beyond the reach of enemy air defense systems.

According to the report, the integration of the Spike NLOS into Apache helicopters is part of the Interim Long-Range Precision Munition (I-LRPM) program, an initiative aimed at equipping attack units with long-range precision strike capabilities while awaiting the development of next-generation strategic munitions. The decision to adopt this system was made in 2020, followed by extensive evaluation and testing on earlier Apache variants. By 2024, it had achieved full certification on the AH-64E Version 6, confirming compatibility with the aircraft’s sensor and targeting systems.

Operational deployment of the Spike NLOS began in August 2023, initially equipping three attack units: the 1-229th Attack Battalion, the 2-17th Air Cavalry Squadron, and the 1-3rd Attack Battalion, which is currently engaged in multinational exercises in Europe. At the end of 2023, tests conducted in Arizona demonstrated the missile’s capability to strike targets at a distance of 30 kilometers. The report stated that the U.S. Army expects the Spike NLOS system to be fully integrated into all 18 Apache Version 6 helicopters by September 2024.

The incorporation of the Spike NLOS into the Apache AH-64E represents a major enhancement for U.S. Army aviation, providing extended reach, greater operational flexibility, and improved survivability. The gradual introduction of this system underscores the growing importance of long-range precision weapons in modern conflict scenarios. In an increasingly contested operational environment, where air superiority cannot be assumed, the ability to strike targets beyond the reach of enemy defenses offers a critical battlefield advantage.