By: Arie Egozi
Israeli company Rafael has unveiled its L-SPIKE 1X, a long-range loitering weapon system that merges the speed and precision of a missile with the persistence and flexibility of a launched effect. Showcased at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) 2025 exposition in Washington, D.C., the L-SPIKE 1X marks a significant improvement in precision strike capabilities and offers militaries a new tool for contested, GPS-denied, and high-threat environments.
Bridging the Gap Between Missiles and Drones
Rafael designed L-SPIKE 1X to fill a critical gap in modern warfare: the need for rapid, precise and persistent strike options that can operate in environments where traditional drones and missiles face limitations.
Unlike electric-powered loitering munitions, the L-SPIKE 1X uses a rocket motor to reach its 40 km (25 mile) engagement envelope in just five minutes, which is significantly faster than most electric loitering effects. Once it arrives at the target area, the missile enters a loitering phase and can fly around autonomously for up to 25 minutes while mapping the battlefield and identifying targets using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
The loitering weapon is equipped with a seeker that combines television and infrared cameras to enable automatic target recognition (ATR) and real-time target identification. It relays the information gathered during the loitering phase back to the operator, who retains full control over the mission and can make real-time decisions about target engagement.
This dual capability of high-speed transit with persistent loitering sets the L-SPIKE 1X apart from both traditional missiles and conventional drones.
Modular Design and Multi-Platform Integration
The L-SPIKE 1X’s modular design allows it to be launched from existing Spike NLOS (Non-Line of Sight) launchers widely used by NATO countries and the U.S. Army. The launcher can also fire four L-SPIKE 1X missiles simultaneously. This makes it a highly versatile and scalable solution for ground, air and naval platforms. The system can be mounted on any vehicle capable of accommodating a payload weighing up to one ton and integrated easily.
The L-SPIKE 1X is available in two primary warhead configurations: tandem HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank) and multi-purpose. This flexibility ensures that the loitering weapon can be tailored to a wide range of mission requirements, from anti-tank operations to engaging soft targets and infrastructure. Rafael also designed the system to operate in contested electromagnetic environments and GPS-denied scenarios, with hardened communications to maintain control under interference.
AI-Enabled Targeting and Operator Control
The L-SPIKE 1X leverages advanced AI-enabled functions, including automatic target recognition and target image acquisition, to enhance mission effectiveness. The missile’s operator-support suite emphasizes man-in-the-loop control to allow a single operator to supervise and coordinate up to four missiles simultaneously in one mission while retaining human decision authority. This capability proves particularly valuable in complex, dynamic environments where rapid decision-making and adaptability remain critical.
Rafael’s CEO and President, Yoav Tourgeman, highlighted the significance of the L-SPIKE 1X. “With L-SPIKE 1X, 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,” he said. “Compatibility with existing SPIKE NLOS launchers enables rapid, practical integration and expands operational options across air, land, and sea.”
Strategic Implications for Modern Warfare
The introduction of the L-SPIKE 1X reflects a broader trend in military technology where missile and drone capabilities converge to address the challenges of modern warfare.
As adversaries increasingly deploy electronic warfare (EW) and jamming systems, the ability to operate in GPS-denied environments and maintain control over precision strike assets becomes paramount. The L-SPIKE 1X’s hardened communications and AI-enabled targeting ensure that it can deliver decisive effects, including in the most contested operational environments.
For the U.S. Army and allied forces, the L-SPIKE 1X offers a resilient, precise and operator-controlled solution that aligns closely with the requirements of the Launched Effects program. Its ability to engage targets at ranges of up to 40 km, combined with its loitering capability and multi-platform integration, makes it a valuable addition as a versatile and future-proof solution for the challenges of modern warfare.