With the progress of the program for the replacement of the attack helicopter AH-129 MANGUSTA - currently called AH-249 - we also begin to identify the most suitable armament to equip it.
During the 2018, Israeli Rafael announced the full operation of the fifth-generation SPIKE counter-air missile.
The SPIKE II LR was designed to be compatible with all launchers of previous versions, allowing those who have already acquired the missile to enhance their operational capabilities. It is therefore logical that the new Italian helicopter will be armed with the latest version of the EXTENDED RANGE configuration.
The fifth generation SPIKE II LR can be interchangeable with the MR (Medium Range) and LR (Long Range) versions for use on land, on board vehicles, on naval units and, in fact, on helicopters.
The latest version of the Israeli missile has a weight of 12,7 kg (the 10% less than the previous model), with a theoretical range of 10.000 meters, and has the possibility of being armed with two types of warheads: an anti-tank, tandem type, with increased 30% drilling capacity and possibility of hitting the target with an 70 ° angle; the second, again of the tandem type, is designed as an antibunker.
