Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. is integrating its SPICE 1000 air-to-surface munition on the F-35 combat aircraft. It marks a significant step that will allow other countries operating the F-35 to field the Israeli munition in the future.
Restructuring naval air power: Improvements to today’s combat aircraft come with the adoption of sophisticated air-to-ground munitions that are capable of engaging the full spectrum of time-critical targets. A mission-proven asset, Rafael’s SPICE family of air-to-ground weapon systems hit and destroy targets with pinpoint accuracy and at high attack volumes. Part of this assortment of precision strike weapons, SPICE 1000 is now approaching another milestone on its way to serve F-35 combat aircraft in use with the Israeli Air Force (IAF) and international air fleets worldwide. SPICE 1000 is expected to be capable of significantly enhancing the combat power of the stealthy, supersonic F-35 at a reasonable cost and with an incredible operational flexibility.
SPICE 1000 is an advanced air-to-surface munition capable of striking fixed and high-value targets at ranges of more than 120 kilometres. For precise engagement, the weapon system is equipped with a highly sophisticated electro-optical (EO) seeker. The munition homes in on its target using advanced scene-matching algorithms and is optimised for the challenges of the modern battlefield.
SPICE 1000 has been sold to several countries and is in operational service with a number of air forces worldwide. It has served as a primary munition of the IAF for several years, including extensive use in recent long-range operations flown from F-15 and F-16 combat aircraft.
The integration on the F-35 is being carried out as a joint project between Rafael and Lockheed Martin; this is undertaken at Lockheed Martin’s facilities in the United States. Work is expected to be completed within a few months, after which the munition will be cleared for employment from IDF F-35 combat aircraft. At a later stage, F-35 operators worldwide will be able to field SPICE 1000.