11bee Posted January 11, 2020 Share Posted January 11, 2020 Some new toys being added to US Apaches in the near future. https://www.defensenews.com/land/2020/01/09/army-to-field-israeli-made-long-range-missile-on-helicopters/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sarathi S. Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 (edited) Right because Apaches totally needed more stuff strapped to them. That being said, integration of Spike will be interesting. Edited January 12, 2020 by Sarathi S. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted January 12, 2020 Author Share Posted January 12, 2020 19 minutes ago, Sarathi S. said: Right because Apaches totally needed more stuff strapped to them. That being said, integration of Spike will be interesting. I’m guessing the current Hellfires and their upcoming replacement may leave a bit to be desired in the range dept. Isn't Spike already flying with Israeli Apaches? If so, I would think it wouldn’t be that hard to integrate into US -64’s. Wonder if the Marines might have similar interest in this weapon? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Whiskey Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 IDF started integrating the Spike during the last years of their AH-1 Cobra's service. If you see a picture with the Cobra's 20mm removed and a blue thing in it's place, it was modded for the Spike. After that then they started installing them on the AH-64's. I imagine the US Army is looking at it for the same reasons, more precise and less collateral damage. I'm interested to see it on ours for sure. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
achterkirch Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 they are getting spike NLOS (not line of sight) Basically the can hide behind a hill or some other thing and shoot a target while being safely hidden. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted January 12, 2020 Author Share Posted January 12, 2020 (edited) 9 hours ago, achterkirch said: they are getting spike NLOS (not line of sight) Basically the can hide behind a hill or some other thing and shoot a target while being safely hidden. Wouldn't the data link between missile and Apache be vulnerable to jamming by a tech-savy adversary? On the plus side the Spike has nearly twice the range of the Hellfire and JAGM. Sounds like a good weapon for picking off air defense systems, coincidentally- the target used for the recent test shot was a mock-up of a Russian Pantsir mobile air defense system. Edited January 12, 2020 by 11bee Quote Link to post Share on other sites
achterkirch Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 28 minutes ago, 11bee said: Wouldn't the data link between missile and Apache but vulnerable to jamming by a tech-savy adversary? That’s a possibility but I’m not sure. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
snake36bravo Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 On 1/12/2020 at 8:34 AM, 11bee said: Wouldn't the data link between missile and Apache be vulnerable to jamming by a tech-savy adversary? On the plus side the Spike has nearly twice the range of the Hellfire and JAGM. Sounds like a good weapon for picking off air defense systems, coincidentally- the target used for the recent test shot was a mock-up of a Russian Pantsir mobile air defense system. Here's an article that better explains the bi-directional RF and IDM data link IO between the operator and missile and yes, the IDF are active with this system on their AH-64 https://theaviationist.com/2017/07/26/photos-of-ah-64d-apache-armed-with-spike-missiles-proves-that-the-weapon-is-operational-for-the-israeli-attack-helicopters/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tgoetz Posted January 17, 2020 Share Posted January 17, 2020 There's more lumps and bumps on that thing than a...I better censor that. But I like it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted March 5, 2020 Author Share Posted March 5, 2020 Whilst on the subject of new gear for Apaches, this pic was posted over on LSP. Never seen that cluster of wingtip antennas before: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sarathi S. Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 Looks like DIRCM or equivalent. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted March 8, 2020 Author Share Posted March 8, 2020 23 hours ago, Sarathi S. said: Looks like DIRCM or equivalent. That's what I thought but I don't see any turrets. In another thread in this forum, there was a post about a newer version of DIRCM getting installed on AF HH-60's. It was a much neater installation that did away with the big, bulky turrets. I wonder if that system is now being installed on Apaches? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sarathi S. Posted March 8, 2020 Share Posted March 8, 2020 I don't believe DAIRCM (the system being installed on the HH-60s) is being looked at for Apache, it's more than likely the Army's "same but different" solution. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hawkwrench Posted March 8, 2020 Share Posted March 8, 2020 2 hours ago, 11bee said: In another thread in this forum, there was a post about a newer version of DIRCM getting installed on AF HH-60's. Got a link to that post??? Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted March 8, 2020 Author Share Posted March 8, 2020 Here you go Tim! Gotta go down to the bottom of the page. The system is DAIRCM. No turrets, the lasers are built into the sensor heads (as I understand it). Pretty slick bit of kit (assuming it works as advertised). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Raptor71 Posted March 14, 2020 Share Posted March 14, 2020 (edited) edit. Edited March 15, 2020 by Raptor71 edit photos Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted March 15, 2020 Author Share Posted March 15, 2020 Raptor - that looks fantastic. So is that what the US Army Apaches will look like? Why is one of the missiles not in it's square housing? Is it a different type? John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Raptor71 Posted March 15, 2020 Share Posted March 15, 2020 (edited) 3 hours ago, 11bee said: Raptor - that looks fantastic. So is that what the US Army Apaches will look like? Why is one of the missiles not in it's square housing? Is it a different type? John This is the system used on the Israeli Apache Saraf and is the same system used as the US Army Apache test. This launcher can carry 4 spike missiles of three different types (Spike NLOS Non Line Of Sight, Spike-ER Extended Range and Spike-LR Long Range) I made the Spike NLOS launcher for the 1/48 and 1/72 Apache and ER plus the antenna (will be printed in 3d). At the moment I understand that the US Army is testing only the long-range NLOS Spike. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPvchdf3s0w -Simon Edited March 15, 2020 by Raptor71 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Raptor71 Posted March 15, 2020 Share Posted March 15, 2020 (edited) On 3/14/2020 at 5:14 PM, Raptor71 said: My Spike system for Apache. If all goes well ... I'll install it on my Apache HAS in 1/48 next week. I hope you like it. The missile in green is a Spike ER, I was able to use the launch tube and sensor of my AW-129D Mangusta project , the guide instead is different. Edited March 15, 2020 by Raptor71 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Raptor71 Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 (edited) I installed the Spike system on the wing of the Apache HAS in 1/48. How do you like it? https://flic.kr/s/aHsmM6vQ6p Edited March 22, 2020 by Raptor71 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Loach Driver Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 Looks good! LD. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
clevzy Posted March 26, 2020 Share Posted March 26, 2020 Great Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Whiskey Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 (edited) @Raptor71 How's the Spike's coming along? Something that I caught while doing some research earlier is that the Army has stopped everything regarding the APKWS. Probably makes sense of why they are pursuing the Spike now. https://breakingdefense.com/2020/02/army-kills-apkws-rockets-mystery-missile-mirm/ Edited April 13, 2020 by Whiskey Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sarathi S. Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 Not really, APKWS and Spike are two completely different range brackets. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Whiskey Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 2 hours ago, Sarathi S. said: Not really, APKWS and Spike are two completely different range brackets. Sorry I will clarify. I mean it makes sense as far as budgeting goes because they have more funds to pursue it now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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