SPIKE anti-tank guided-missile family

Also known as

Exactor
Exactor 2
Exactor Mk5
SPIKE NLOS
SPIKE Non-Line-Of-Sight
Tamuz
Tamuz 5
Tammuz

Rafael's SPIKE family is a combat-proven electro-optical guided-missile line whose long-range NLOS branch is also known as Tamuz in Israeli service and Exactor in British service. The family spans infantry, vehicle, aircraft, and naval launchers, from compact short-range variants to Spike NLOS, which reaches 32 km from land or 50 km from the air and has documented use by Israeli, British, Azerbaijani, and U.S. forces.

SPIKE anti-tank guided-missile family, Anti-tank guided missile family, Infantry Weapons

Image source: Wikimedia First SPIKE NLOS in U.S. CENTCOM photo

Role in Conflicts

Side: Israel

Israeli Navy Spike NLOS strikes were reported against Hamas targets along the Gaza coastline.

Role details

Side: Israel

The Jerusalem Post reported that IDF Pere launch vehicles fired 433 Tamuz missiles at Hamas and Islamic Jihad targets in Gaza during the 2014 war.

Side: Israel

Times of Israel reporting says the IDF fired 26 guided Tammuz missiles during the 2008-2009 Operation Cast Lead campaign in Gaza.

Side: Israel

Jerusalem Post reporting on the Tamuz program says the IDF fired hundreds of Tamuz missiles at Hezbollah targets during the 2006 Lebanon War.

Side: Israel

Defense Update reported IDF Tamuz use in 2012-2013 in response to Syrian fire at Israeli patrols and military posts along the Golan Heights border.

Role details

Side: United States and coalition forces

British Army Exactor/Tamuz missiles were fielded around Basra from 2007 for counter-mortar and precision-strike use.

Role details

Side: United States, NATO, and Afghan government forces

British Army Exactor/Tamuz missiles were later transferred to Afghanistan for Helmand operations, with reporting tying the system to patrol and convoy protection.

Role details

Side: Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani Mi-17 helicopters were reported flying with long-range Spike missiles during the 2020 war, including strikes against Armenian air-defense and radar targets.

Side: United States

During Operation Epic Fury, U.S. AH-64 Apache units were reported operating along Iran's southern coastline with Spike NLOS as a beyond-line-of-sight land and maritime target capability.

Side: Israel

TWZ reported that Iranian authorities displayed remnants of Rafael Spike precision-guided missile systems used during Operation Rising Lion, with at least some launchers reportedly remotely operated inside Iran.

Role details

Tamuz Service Context

Within this family page, Tamuz is the Israeli-service name tied to the long-range non-line-of-sight branch. Public reporting traces the program from Rafael development after the Yom Kippur War to IDF Artillery Corps service, Hafiz and Pere launch vehicles, later Tamuz 5/SPIKE NLOS demonstrations, and the British Exactor designation.

Israeli lineage

Rafael completed initial Tamuz development in 1982 and produced the missile for the IDF before later NLOS upgrades extended the public range envelope.

Ground launchers

Defense Update identifies Hafiz as a modified M113 launcher for Tamuz, while Pere launch vehicles are documented firing Tamuz missiles in Gaza and Lebanon.

Export designation

British service used the Exactor name for Spike NLOS/Tamuz systems, including Exactor 2 launchers and Exactor Mk5 missiles.

Source: Defense Update Tamuz EO guided missile; Jerusalem Post Tammuz 30-year story; Jerusalem Post Pere Tamuz Gaza and Lebanon; Jerusalem Post Tamuz 5 video report; UK Parliament Exactor weapons system answer.

Variant Split

Rafael's public family pages separate Spike by range and launch domain. The long-range NLOS variant covers the broadest standoff envelope, while LR2 stays compact enough for infantry, vehicles, naval craft, and helicopters.

Variant	Public range	Documented launch context
SPIKE NLOS	Up to 32 km from land, up to 50 km from the air	Land, air, and naval launch platforms.
SPIKE LR2	Up to 5.5 km on the ground, up to 10 km from a helicopter	Infantry, armored vehicles, naval vessels, and helicopters.

Source: Rafael SPIKE family; Rafael SPIKE NLOS; Rafael SPIKE LR2.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: Israel
Built by: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
Type: Anti-tank guided missile family
Service note: 1980s-present for Tamuz/Spike NLOS; 1997-present for the modern SPIKE family
Designer: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
Unit cost: $249,966 (US Army Spike NLOS procurement unit cost, FY22)
Produced: Early 1980s for Tamuz/Spike NLOS lineage; since 1997 for the modern public SPIKE family

Specifications

Guidance: Electro-optical/infrared seeker, real-time video, wireless datalink, and man-in-the-loop control on NLOS sources.
Launch platforms: Land, aviation, and maritime/naval platforms; Tamuz sources document Hafiz M113-based and Pere ground launchers, while later sources document AH-64 Apache and JLTV integration.
Range: Current SPIKE NLOS public figures are up to 32 km from land or naval platforms and up to 50 km from helicopters.
Service designations: Tamuz/Tammuz is the Israeli name associated with the NLOS lineage; SPIKE NLOS is the public/export branch, and Exactor/Exactor 2/Exactor Mk5 are British service or procurement designations.
6th-generation features: Rafael-announced 6th-generation features include salvo control of up to four missiles, mid-flight transfer of control, and target image acquisition.
User nations: Rafael says the family is used by 39 nations.
Family production: The current family line has been in production since 1997.

Variants

Rafael markets SPIKE as an electro-optical guided-missile family split by range and launch domain. SPIKE NLOS is the non-line-of-sight standoff branch; Tamuz is the Israeli legacy/service name associated with that lineage, while Exactor was the British service designation.

Variant	Configuration	Designation notes
SPIKE NLOS	Non-line-of-sight standoff precision missile	Rafael's current NLOS branch is advertised for land, air, and naval launch, with public ranges up to 32 km from land or naval platforms and up to 50 km from helicopters. Sources: Rafael SPIKE NLOS, Armada SPIKE NLOS 6th Generation
Tamuz	Israeli-service NLOS lineage designation	Defense Update describes Tamuz as a Rafael-developed BLOS guided weapon fielded by Israeli artillery from the early 1980s, including the modified M113-based Hafiz launcher, and identifies Spike NLOS as an advanced export version. Sources: Defense Update Tamuz EO guided missile
Tamuz 5	Publicly shown later NLOS designation	Jerusalem Post reporting on Rafael video footage identified Tamuz 5 as SPIKE NLOS and described firing demonstrations at ranges above 25 km. Sources: Jerusalem Post Tamuz 5 video report
Exactor 2 / Exactor Mk5	British-service NLOS designation	UK Parliament identified the Exactor weapons system as Exactor 2 palletised launchers and Exactor Mk5 missiles purchased from an Israel-based contractor. Sources: UK Parliament Exactor weapons system answer
SPIKE ER2	Extended-range family member	Listed by Rafael as part of the public SPIKE electro-optical guided-missile family. Sources: Rafael SPIKE family
SPIKE LR2	Long-range infantry, vehicle, naval, and helicopter variant	Rafael publishes LR2 as a lighter long-range variant with ground and helicopter range figures below the NLOS branch. Sources: Rafael SPIKE LR2
SPIKE SR	Short-range shoulder-fired variant	Listed by Rafael as the short-range member of the SPIKE family. Sources: Rafael SPIKE family
L-SPIKE 1X	Lightweight family member	Listed by Rafael alongside the current SPIKE family lineup. Sources: Rafael SPIKE family

Launch Platforms

Published sources document Spike-family missiles on armored vehicles, tactical vehicles, and dedicated launch systems across Israeli, British, and U.S. service contexts.

Launcher	Launcher type	Launch evidence
Eitan wheeled armored personnel carrier	Wheeled armored personnel carrier	Defense Update described the Eitan's armament fit as including Spike guided missiles. Sources: Defense Update on Eitan armament
Namer	Heavy armored personnel carrier	The Times of Israel reported that medium-range Spike missiles would be installed on Namer APC turrets and operated from within the protected vehicle. Sources: Times of Israel Namer and Eitan Spike turret test
Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV)	4x4 light tactical vehicle	Lockheed Martin reported delivery of the Spike NLOS missile system on Oshkosh JLTVs to U.S. Special Operations Command, with a palletized remote launcher mounted without vehicle modifications. Sources: Lockheed Martin Spike NLOS JLTV delivery
M113	Tracked armored personnel carrier	Defense Update identifies Hafiz as a modified M113 APC used to carry Tamuz missiles in Israeli service, while Think Defence describes early British Exactor/Spike NLOS use involving M113 vehicles. Sources: Defense Update Tamuz EO guided missile, Think Defence Spike NLOS Exactor

Firing Weapons

A published BAE Systems test mounted SPIKE LR on a CV90 and launched it from the vehicle.

Firing weapon	Weapon type	Firing evidence
CV90	Tracked infantry fighting vehicle	BAE Systems reported that a mounted SPIKE LR missile was launched from a CV90 during testing. Sources: BAE Systems' CV90 increases lethality by testing SPIKE LR anti-tank guided missile
KTO Rosomak	Wheeled infantry fighting vehicle	Defence24 reported that Rosomak vehicles with the ZSSW-30 turret carry two Spike-LR missiles in a dual external launcher. Sources: Defence24 Rosomak ZSSW-30 Spike-LR

Firing weapon

Weapon type

Firing evidence

CV90

Tracked infantry fighting vehicle

BAE Systems reported that a mounted SPIKE LR missile was launched from a CV90 during testing.

Sources: BAE Systems' CV90 increases lethality by testing SPIKE LR anti-tank guided missile

KTO Rosomak

Wheeled infantry fighting vehicle

Defence24 reported that Rosomak vehicles with the ZSSW-30 turret carry two Spike-LR missiles in a dual external launcher.

Sources: Defence24 Rosomak ZSSW-30 Spike-LR

Carrier Aircraft

Published photos show Israeli AH-64D Saraf helicopters carrying Spike NLOS missiles.

Carrier	Carrier type	Carriage evidence
AH-64D Saraph attack helicopter	Attack helicopter	The Aviationist published photos of IAF AH-64D Saraf helicopters carrying Spike NLOS missiles, showing the helicopter as a documented carrier for the missile family. Sources: The Aviationist AH-64D Spike NLOS photos
AH-64E Apache attack helicopter	Attack helicopter	The U.S. Army reported a live-fire campaign in Poland in which an AH-64Ev6 Apache Guardian fired Spike NLOS missiles against sea-based targets. Sources: U.S. Army AH-64E Spike NLOS Poland test
AH-60L Arpia	Attack helicopter	Rafael's SPIKE NLOS page shows an Arpia helicopter mounted with Spike NLOS stand-off EO missiles, matching the AH-60 IV fact sheet's listing of Spike air-to-ground missiles in the helicopter's armament. Sources: Rafael SPIKE NLOS
Hermes 450 armed unmanned aircraft	Long-endurance tactical UAV	DIMSE says the Hermes 450 can carry four Spike medium-range air-to-ground missiles, and Drone Wars UK reports that Hermes 450 drones were armed with Spike missiles, including an armed IAF Hermes 450 that fired a Spike anti-tank missile. Sources: DIMSE Hermes page, Drone Wars UK: Israel and the Drone Wars

Timeline

SPIKE anti-tank guided-missile family Key Events

Jan 1, 1982
Tamuz production begins for IDF use
Jerusalem Post reporting on the program says Rafael completed the first development in 1982 and began producing the missile for the IDF.
Sources: Jerusalem Post Tammuz 30-year story
Jan 1, 1997
Current SPIKE family production begins
Rafael and Teal Group material place the modern Spike MR/LR/ER family line in production from 1997.
Sources: Rafael SPIKE family, Teal Group NT Spike
Aug 1, 2007
Exactor enters British service in Iraq
Think Defence describes Exactor as a 2007 Iraq urgent operational requirement and says it was in service with 1 Royal Horse Artillery in Basra by August 2007.
Sources: Think Defence Spike NLOS Exactor
Jan 1, 2008
Tammuz is fired during Operation Cast Lead
Times of Israel reporting says the IDF fired 26 guided Tammuz missiles during the 2008-2009 Gaza campaign.
Sources: Times of Israel Tammuz precision artillery
Jan 1, 2012
Tamuz is used along the Golan Heights border
Defense Update reported IDF Tamuz use in 2012-2013 after Syrian fire at Israeli patrols and military posts along the Golan Heights border.
Sources: Defense Update Tamuz EO guided missile
Jan 1, 2014
Pere vehicles fire Tamuz in Gaza
Jerusalem Post reporting attributed 433 Pere-launched Tamuz missiles to Israeli use against Hamas and Islamic Jihad targets during the 2014 Gaza War.
Sources: Jerusalem Post Pere Tamuz Gaza and Lebanon
Sep 27, 2015
British use in Iraq and Afghanistan surfaces publicly
Haaretz reporting, republished by The New Arab, said British forces had used Israeli Exactor/Tamuz missiles in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
Sources: The New Arab on Haaretz Exactor in Iraq and Afghanistan
Dec 25, 2020
Azerbaijan's helicopter use is documented
AZERTAC highlighted a Mi-17 helicopter armed with long-range Spike missiles during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.
Sources: AZERTAC Iron-Winged Hero
May 10, 2022
JLTV-mounted Spike NLOS reaches USSOCOM
Lockheed Martin reported delivery of the Spike NLOS missile system on Oshkosh JLTVs to U.S. Special Operations Command, highlighting ground-vehicle integration for a mobile precision-strike role.
Sources: Lockheed Martin Spike NLOS JLTV delivery
Oct 18, 2023
Israeli Navy Spike NLOS use is reported off Gaza
Israel Defense reported Israeli Navy Spike NLOS strikes against Hamas targets on the Gaza Strip coastline during the 2023 Israel-Hamas War.
Sources: Israel Defense Spike NLOS Gaza coastline
Jun 13, 2025
Spike NLOS appears in Operation Rising Lion reporting
TWZ reported footage appearing to show Israeli commandos operating Rafael Spike precision-guided missiles inside Iran during the opening of Operation Rising Lion.
Sources: TWZ Rising Lion Spike NLOS report
Aug 26, 2025
U.S. Army selects Spike NLOS for M-LRPSM prototype work
Lockheed Martin said the U.S. Army down-selected Spike NLOS for the Mobile-Long Range Precision Strike Missile directed requirement and demonstrated three ground-launched vehicle shots at Dugway Proving Grounds.
Sources: Lockheed Martin Spike NLOS M-LRPSM selection

Documented Prices

Public pricing varies by Spike variant, so the most useful figures are contract or procurement unit costs rather than a single list price.

Variant	Price	Context
SPIKE NLOS	$249,966	US Army FY22 procurement unit cost reported by Teal Group.
SPIKE LR	About $100,000	Finished-missile price reported by Polish sources and summarized by Teal Group.

Source: Teal Group NT Spike.

Media