AH-64E v6 Apache Guardians fired Spike NLOS missiles at sea-based targets at distances of as much as 25 kilometers in Poland.
The U.S. Military has efficiently performed the primary European live-fire demonstration of the Spike Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) missile from an AH-64E v6 Apache Guardian, marking a milestone within the integration of superior long-range precision strike capabilities onto the assault helicopter. The joint marketing campaign, organized in cooperation with the Polish Air Power Inspectorate and supported by Rafael Superior Protection Methods, passed off on the Central Air Power Coaching Vary in Ustka, on Poland’s Baltic coast.
The train noticed U.S. Military AH-64Es from the twelfth Fight Aviation Brigade (CAB) firing two Spike NLOS missiles at sea-based targets, placing efficiently at ranges of as much as 25 kilometers (14 nautical miles), in keeping with the U.S. Military’s assertion. Observers from a number of international locations, together with senior army representatives and protection officers, had been invited to witness the weapon’s long-range precision strike capabilities.
A Historic First
In keeping with service’s press launch issued on Aug. 27, 2025, the live-fire take a look at marked the primary time that the service has employed the Spike NLOS from the Apache platform within the European theater. Whereas the service didn’t point out when the take a look at passed off, the captions of the pictures launched on the DVIDS community point out the date as Aug. 27.
The demonstration highlighted the system’s beyond-line-of-sight engagement capabilities in maritime eventualities, famous the service, missions historically exterior the attain of the Apache’s present missile armament. Furthermore, the service added this emphasizes the AH-64E’s functionality to fulfill evolving mission wants, similar to maritime and beyond-line-of-sight eventualities.
The mixing of the Spike NLOS represents a major improve in standoff strike choices for the Apache. The weapon far exceeds the vary of the AGM-114 Hellfire, the Apache’s major missile, which is mostly credited with a most attain of about seven nautical miles.
In contrast, the Spike NLOS allows engagement of targets properly over thrice that distance, considerably enhancing the survivability and lethality of the platform in high-threat environments. Due to this, the Military determined to area the missile as an interim Lengthy Vary Precision Munition in 2020.
Multinational Observers
The marketing campaign was attended by observers from greater than ten allied nations, in keeping with Rafael, together with senior commanders and protection officers, underscoring the importance of the occasion for NATO’s jap flank. In keeping with each the U.S. Military and Rafael, the exercise demonstrated not solely present operational effectiveness but additionally the long run route of multinational cooperation in precision strike capabilities.
Polish army authorities performed a central function in internet hosting the occasion. The Ministry of Nationwide Defence (MoND), the Basic Workers of the Polish Armed Forces, and the Inspectorate of the Polish Air Power all participated within the train, which has been within the works for a 12 months.
“The profitable marketing campaign displays over a 12 months of shut planning and coordination between U.S. and Polish forces, supported by trade companions,” Rafael mentioned in its Aug. 28 press launch.
Business Assist and Missile Integration
Because the developer and producer of Spike NLOS, Rafael Superior Protection Methods supplied integration help and technical experience in the course of the marketing campaign. The corporate emphasised its longstanding partnership with the U.S. Military, and has teamed up with Lockheed Martin to provide the Spike NLOS to the service.
The live-fire demonstrated the maturity of the combination course of, exhibiting that the AH-64E v6 platform can successfully make use of the missile in opposition to sea-based targets at prolonged ranges. Rafael additionally underlined its willingness to help the Polish Armed Forces with future capability-building efforts because the nation prepares to obtain its personal AH-64Es, together with potential cooperation with the home protection trade.
This take a look at adopted earlier U.S. Military evaluations of Spike NLOS. In December 2023, a five-day marketing campaign noticed eight missiles launched in opposition to a wide range of floor targets, together with a mock-up of a SA-22 surface-to-air missile system, with engagements made at ranges exceeding 16 nautical miles. These trials additionally highlighted the weapon’s resilience, together with the flexibility to mechanically full its mission even when communication with the launch plane was misplaced.
AH-64Es of the a hundred and first Airborne Division had been additionally seen carrying Spike NLOS missiles in Iraq in March 2025, though no particulars had been launched. Moreover, Apache of the twelfth CAB had been already noticed with the brand new weapon in Germany throughout Train Allied Spirit in early 2025.
Implications for Poland’s Future Apache Fleet
Poland 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 via 2032, in keeping with Janes. In preparation, Polish crews are already coaching on leased U.S. Military AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters.
In truth, since 2024, Polish and U.S. Military aviators labored collectively to determine Poland’s Apache aviation program. In June, the primary three AH-64D Apaches, out of a complete of eight, arrived on the 56th Air Base in Inowrocław.
On June 17, 2025, the 🇵🇱Armed Forces inducted the primary AH-64D #Apache assault helicopters into service.
— Poland MOD 🇵🇱 (@Poland_MOD) June 17, 2025
A live-demonstration of the utilization of the AH-64D Apache helicopter supporting a floor unit was additionally supplied by the U.S. Military’s 1st Armored Division Fight Aviation Brigade throughout a latest occasion parallel to the Spike NLOS take a look at. A tactical ahead arming and refueling level demonstration can be deliberate.
The demonstration of Spike NLOS in Poland carries explicit significance for Warsaw. Senior U.S. and Polish army officers burdened that the combination of the missile onto the Apache enhances rotary-wing aviation by enabling standoff engagements in opposition to each land and maritime targets.
For Poland, which can deploy the most important Apache fleet in Europe, the system may develop into a cornerstone of its future long-range precision strike capabilities. This functionality aligns with Warsaw’s ongoing efforts to strengthen nationwide protection and bolster NATO’s collective deterrence alongside its jap borders.
In keeping with Janes, the nation is contemplating fielding the weapon on its AH-64s.
