Rafael USA has introduced the L-SPIKE 4X Launched Effect, a new addition to the SPIKE family that blends missile-grade speed with loitering endurance for operations in contested environments.
Unlike typical loitering munitions adapted from unmanned aerial systems, the new weapon is purpose-built as a missile, engineered from the ground up with integrated loitering functionality.
It can engage targets up to 40 kilometers (25 miles) away and is compatible with legacy SPIKE NLOS launchers across air, land, and naval platforms.
Rafael offers two primary warhead configurations for the L-SPIKE 4X: the Tandem HEAT for armored targets and the Multi-Purpose warhead for broader mission sets.
“With L-SPIKE 4X, we bring SPIKE’s missile pedigree into a new dimension — combining the speed and precision of a missile with the persistence of a Launched Effect,” said Yoav Tourgeman, President and CEO of Rafael.
“Compatibility with existing SPIKE NLOS launchers enables rapid, practical integration and expands operational options across air, land, and sea.”
Speed and Control
A jet propulsion system gives the L-SPIKE 4X the flexibility to operate in both rapid-strike and extended-loiter profiles.
In high-speed dash mode, it can reach maximum range in just five minutes, whereas in loiter mode, it provides up to 25 minutes of on-station persistence.
The weapon is designed to operate in GPS-denied and contested electromagnetic environments, with hardened communications ensuring control even under interference.
An AI-enabled autonomy suite also supports automatic target recognition and image acquisition while keeping a human operator in the loop.
A single L-SPIKE 4X operator can supervise and coordinate up to four missiles simultaneously, retaining full decision authority throughout the mission.
