Airbus Helicopters wants to integrate the Spike ER2 precision-guided missile from the Israeli manufacturer Rafael into the H145M multi-purpose helicopter. According to media reports, the weapon's first flight tests have already taken place with a new, lighter quadruple launcher. As an Airbus spokesman confirmed, the aerodynamic testing included, among other things, determining the air resistance of the installed system and testing the vibration behavior. The fully digital control of the launcher enabled the Spike ER2 to be integrated into the H145M architecture.
To enable the H145M for combat tasks, Airbus has developed the H-Force weapons platform. Together with fire control elements, various machine weapons as well as unguided and guided rockets can be modularly integrated. According to Airbus, in the highest expansion level, all available weapons can be used with H-Force.
The Spike ER2 missile that is now to be integrated weighs around 35 kg and is designed for target distances of up to ten kilometers. With new data links – as demonstrated, among other things, in the Timber Express exercise (ESUT reported) and technology reported - the combat distance should be able to be increased to up to 16 km. According to the manufacturer, the new search head can be switched between daylight and infrared mode.
There is apparently already a customer for H-Force with Spike ER2, which Airbus does not want to name. Before the system can be delivered, demonstration of all capabilities up to live firing in flight is required. According to Airbus, this is planned for the near future as soon as a place for the customer test flights has been selected. According to the spokesman, the dates for this have not yet been set.
Gerhard Heiming
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