The primary stay shoot of the Spike NLOS by a traditional aviation unit reveals Apache crews can conduct extended-range precision strikes in opposition to targets obscured by terrain or distance.
U.S. Military AH-64E v6 Apache Guardian assault helicopters of the a hundred and first Fight Aviation Brigade (CAB) fired for the primary time a Spike NLOS (Non-Line of Sight) missile within the CENTCOM (Central Command) AoR (Space of Accountability) on Aug. 27, 2025. Based on photos and knowledge launched on DVIDS on Aug. 29, the missile destroyed a automobile that was used as a floor goal for the demonstration.
The identical day, the European theater additionally noticed a Spike NLOS demonstration with AH-64Es of the twelfth CAB firing two Spike NLOS missiles, efficiently placing sea-based targets at ranges of as much as 25 km (14 nautical miles). This take a look at happened on the Central Air Drive Coaching Vary in Ustka, on Poland’s Baltic coast, and was supported by the Polish Air Drive Inspector Normal Israeli agency Rafael Superior Protection Programs, the developer of the Spike NLOS system.
The take a look at within the CENTCOM AOR got here 4 months after the U.S. Military launched photos of an AH-64E Apache from the a hundred and first Airborne Division “Screaming Eagles” carrying at the least two Spike NLOS on Mar. 5, 2025. The Spike NLOS is distinguished by rectangular field canisters and the Mar. 5 photos present two missiles being carried solely on the right-side stub wing.
Spike NLOS, AGM-114 Hellfire and AGM-179 JAGM
The Spike NLOS missile has 4 massive fold-out fins for flight management and, in accordance with Lockheed Martin – that has teamed up with Rafael Superior Protection Programs to supply the weapon system to U.S. clients, is powered by a complicated rocket motor that takes it to a spread of 32 km. Rafael says that the 32 km attain is attained when fired from land, however in an aerial stand-off configuration from a platform just like the Apache – that Israel additionally makes use of – it will possibly attain 50 km.
The missile can be built-in with floor and maritime platforms, providing safety in opposition to fast-paced USVs, land platforms, tactical armored programs and tanks, due to a twin electro-optical and infrared seeker. The weapon leverages its “stand-off functionality to strike distant or geographically hid targets with out line-of-sight.”
The weapon’s seeker and wi-fi datalink present “real-time video imagery and man-in-the-loop management all through the missile’s flight, granting “operators […] the chance to change or abort the mission whereas en path to the goal.” Rafael additionally mentions different “ground-breaking” options like “salvo controls, system hand-over, goal acquisition, and prolonged ranges, that permits “fast closure of sensor-to-shooter loops and neutralization of swarm assaults from important stand-off ranges.”
The kinematics are extra fitted to fast-moving floor targets each on land and sea, consultant of the threats U.S. and Allies are at the moment going through and would proceed to face, equivalent to Iranian and Houthi USVs and Chinese language maritime fishing militias which can be more likely to swarm and confuse coalition property.
On Jun. 26, 2024, a U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper from the thirty first MEU (thirty first Marine Expeditionary Unit) sank a transferring coaching goal vessel within the Philippine Sea. Previous to that, on Apr. 30, 2024, an AC-130J Ghostrider, belonging to the twenty seventh Particular Operations Wing from Cannon Air Drive Base, New Mexico, engaged a goal vessel close to Lubang, Philippines.
The take a look at in Europe and the CENTCOM AOR means the Military is effectively on its technique to discipline operationally the Israeli system – if it hasn’t already. The weapon was chosen as an interim longer vary various for the AGM-114 Hellfires and the AGM-179 JAGMs (Joint Air-to-Floor) missiles.
The JAGM and the improved vary JAGM-MR (Medium-Vary), with a spread of 8 km/5 miles and 16 km/10 miles, respectively, are an evolution of the Hellfire and its most superior model, the AGM-114R. The JAGM relies on the widespread Hellfire physique however with a distinct motor and a further near-infrared seeker, making it a tri-mode system.
Stay hearth in CENTCOM
The caption for the Aug. 26 occasion says the “first stay shoot of the Spike NLOS by a traditional aviation unit […] supplies Apache crews with an extended-range precision strike functionality, permitting engagement of targets obscured by terrain or distance.” The caption additional provides “the stay hearth validates the mixing of the system and expands the Brigade’s potential to assist Mixed Joint Process Drive – Operation Inherent Resolve regional safety efforts.”
There was nevertheless no point out of the vary at which the Spike NLOS was fired. One picture reveals two AH-64E v6 Apache Guardians from the a hundred and first CAB conducting a publish strike evaluation following the employment of the Spike NLOS on the goal floor automobile, with each helicopters carrying two Spike NLOS every, however it isn’t clear what number of weapons had been employed.
🇺🇸🇵🇱🇮🇱 The US Military, in cooperation with the Inspectorate of the Polish Air Drive and with assist from Rafael Superior Protection Programs, carried out a live-fire demonstration of the SPIKE NLOS missile system on the Central Air Drive Coaching Vary in Ustka, Poland, Aug.… pic.twitter.com/vwFz8b2CLw
— Man Plopsky (@GuyPlopsky) September 8, 2025
The take a look at of the missile in that area suggests a seamless U.S. navy presence there. That is particularly related following the recurring confrontation with Iran, its aligned-militias and Israel’s hostility with Tehran, which isn’t anticipated to subside quickly.
Relevance of Apache assault helicopters
It should be famous that the twelfth CAB’s Spike NLOS/AH-64E take a look at in Poland on Aug. 27 was additionally in a maritime surroundings, talking to the emergence of assault helicopters in naval warfare. China is already analyzing using its Z-10 assault helicopters from military-controlled civilian semi-submersible platforms.
This might be to guard its offshore reclaimed bases within the South China Sea and for prolonged launches for operations in opposition to Taiwan. On the similar time, it will additionally unburden China’s bigger naval and naval aviation models from island-protection and maritime surveillance missions.
Watch as #USArmy AH-64E Apache Guardian assault helicopters make use of the superior #SPIKE NLOS missile system. This revolutionary functionality expands fight potential and provides a brand new dimension of firepower for the U.S. Military in Europe.
U.S. Military video by Sergeant Jamie Robinson. pic.twitter.com/oFRleetyr6
— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝕯𝔢𝔞𝔡 𝕯𝔦𝔰𝔱𝔯𝔦𝔠𝔱△ 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇺🇲🇬🇷 (@TheDeadDistrict) September 3, 2025
In Poland’s case, Warsaw is among the largest future operators of the AH-64E Apache, having dedicated to the acquisition of 96 helicopters underneath its Kruk (Raven) requirement. Deliveries are anticipated to start in 2028 and proceed by way of 2032.
In preparation, Polish crews are already coaching on leased U.S. Military AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters. In June, the primary three AH-64D Apaches, out of a complete of eight, arrived on the 56th Air Base in Inowrocław.
