Israel’s F-35 jets are gaining a new strike option as Rafael Advanced Defense Systems integrates its SPICE 1000 air-to-surface munition onto the fighter aircraft for the first time.
Equipped with an electro-optical seeker, the weapon can engage fixed and high-value targets at distances exceeding 120 kilometers (75 miles).
It uses scene-matching algorithms to identify the target area and guide itself toward a predetermined aim point, reducing its reliance on GPS.
Integration is underway at Lockheed Martin facilities in the US as part of a joint project between the two companies.
“SPICE 1000 has been sold to several countries and is in operational service with a number of air forces worldwide,” the company stated.
“It has served as a primary munition of the Israeli Air Force for several years, including extensive use in recent long-range operations flown from F-15 and F-16 aircraft.”
SPICE in Focus
Built for operations where GPS access is limited, the SPICE family comprises three variants: SPICE 2000, SPICE 1000, and SPICE 250.
The larger variants accommodate 1,000-pound (454-kilogram) and 2,000-pound (907-kilogram) blast-fragmentation or penetration warheads.
Missions can be planned in the air or on the ground using target imagery and parameters such as impact angle, azimuth, and fuse delay.
According to Rafael, a weapon mission cartridge can store hundreds of prepared missions and is loaded onto the aircraft before takeoff.
The autonomous stand-off weapon can be launched from single- or dual-seat fighters during the day or at night and in all weather conditions.
