The Americans tested an AH-64E Apache attack helicopter armed with an Israeli Spike NLOS missile. During the tests, it was possible to hit the ship, located 32 kilometers from the launch site.
The United States is not only not going to abandon the AH-64 helicopters, but also intends to dramatically increase their combat potential. The best evidence of this is the recent tests of the Spike NLOS rocket. Thanks to it, the rotorcraft was able to hit a target at a range that is about four times the range of standard Apache — AGM-114 Hellfire missiles.
The AH-64E helicopter, which took off from Eglin Air Force Base, successfully launched a missile at a stationary boat located at a distance of 17.3 nautical miles (about 32 kilometers). The tests were conducted in February. A subsequent test to demonstrate the ability to attack a moving vessel was canceled due to adverse weather conditions.
AH-64E with Spike NLOS
Image source: thedrive
"We were excited to test the new weapon system here at Eglin," said Amanda Hargett, a test engineer with the U.S. Air Force's 780th Test Squadron, in a released statement. "Our team worked closely with the Ground Forces to make sure everything went smoothly and the demonstration was a success."
The US Army wants to get weapons that would allow rotorcraft to be out of range of modern anti-aircraft systems, such as the Russian "Pantsir-S1", during combat missions. The range of the famous Hellfire missile is approximately 8-10 kilometers, which is now not enough to ensure safety.
Since the Spike NLOS has a range beyond the Apache's line of sight, the Ground Forces hope to use external sensors for retransmission, which, in particular, can be installed on armored personnel carriers and UAVs.
Spike NLOS
Image source: thedrive
The Spike NLOS is a versatile Israeli rocket of the Spike family. It is a multi-purpose, multi-platform, electron-optical missile system designed to destroy armored vehicles, bunkers, small ships, and other targets. Electro-optical control of the rocket allows you to determine the target after launch, choosing the highest priority.
And although, as noted above, the US Army does not intend to abandon the Apache, in the future it wants to supplement it with a new type of reconnaissance and attack helicopter. Earlier it became known that he, too , can get an extended-range missile.
The promising Bell 360 Invictus can also be equipped with a " long arm»
Image source: militaryparitet
The conditional Russian response can be considered a missile system "product-305", tested in Syria.
