U.S. Deploys Apache Helicopters Armed with Spike NLOS Missiles in Iraq: TWZ

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a military development, the United States has deployed AH-64 Apache attack helicopters armed with Israeli-made Spike NLOS (Non-Line of Sight) missiles in Iraq, marking the first operational use of this configuration in an active conflict zone.

The move represents a significant advancement in the U.S. Army’s air combat capabilities and underscores the evolving nature of aerial warfare in the region.

According to The War Zone (TWZ), a website specializing in military affairs, the deployment of these helicopters equipped with Spike NLOS missiles offers a crucial extension of operational reach and precision strike capabilities.

Unlike the traditional AGM-114 Hellfire and AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM) typically used by Apache helicopters, the Spike NLOS provides a superior range of up to 32 kilometers (20 miles) and is guided by a multi-mode system, allowing for both autonomous and operator-controlled targeting.

Significance of the Deployment

This deployment follows a series of operational tests and exercises conducted by the U.S. Army’s 101st Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB).

The TWZ report also revealed that earlier this month, the unit made history by successfully piloting an AH-64 Apache helicopter with training Spike NLOS missiles, marking a pivotal moment in the integration of the missile system into the Apache’s onboard weapons platform.

Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVDIS) quoted Colonel Tyler Partridge, commander of the 101st CAB, highlighted the significance of the milestone, stating, “Operational testing of the Spike NLOS munitions with the AH-64E V6 onboard systems helps us build readiness for real-world employment and ultimately provides more combat power and capability to the ground force.”

The 101st CAB’s deployment in Iraq is part of its ongoing support for the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), the U.S.-led coalition dedicated to combatting remnants of the Daesh terror group in the region.

This advanced weapons integration is expected to significantly enhance the U.S. military’s operational effectiveness in targeting enemy positions from extended distances while minimizing exposure to anti-aircraft threats.

The Spike NLOS: A Game-Changing Weapon

The Spike NLOS missile, as written in the TWZ report, developed by Israeli defense manufacturer Rafael and adapted for U.S. use by Lockheed Martin, has been in service with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) since the 1980s. Over the decades, it has undergone multiple enhancements to improve accuracy, range, and targeting flexibility.

The report also indicated that unlike the Hellfire missile, which relies on laser guidance, the Spike NLOS features a “man-in-the-loop” (MITL) targeting system, allowing operators to manually control the missile throughout its flight using an infrared camera.

This capability enables pilots to adjust targeting mid-flight, strike moving targets with precision, and even switch to alternate targets if battlefield conditions change.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kevin Hopson, the pilot-in-command during the initial test flights, explained the complexities of integrating the new weapon system into the Apache’s arsenal for DVDIS.

“With the Hellfire missiles, you can fire and guide them with a laser. The Spike missiles, however, require a three-step process: alignment with the laser system, navigation system, and inertial system. Today, we used training missiles to test the launcher and weapons processor,” Hopson stated.

Warrant Officer Colton Francis, the co-pilot, emphasized the missile’s adaptability in combat situations. “The way I look at it, it’s a fire, observe, acquire, and attack system. If we spot another target of opportunity while the missile is in flight, we can adjust course and engage it instead,” he explained to DVDIS.

This dynamic targeting ability makes the Spike NLOS a critical asset for modern air combat operations, particularly in complex battle environments where rapid decision-making is essential.

Strategic Implications and Regional Impact

The deployment of Spike NLOS-equipped Apaches in Iraq is a response to evolving battlefield threats and the need for enhanced aerial strike capabilities.

According to the TWZ, the U.S. Army has been actively working to extend the operational range of its attack helicopters in light of emerging air defense challenges, as evidenced by previous tests conducted at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and during exercises in Germany.

The TWZ report has also written that the recent arrival of these helicopters in Erbil, a major hub for U.S. military operations in Iraq and the wider region, signals a broader strategy to bolster airpower in a region fraught with security challenges.

Reports indicate that the U.S. Air Force facilitated the deployment by transporting Apache helicopters from the 101st Airborne Division via C-17A Globemaster III cargo planes last month.

Observers suggest that the integration of Spike NLOS into U.S. Army operations aligns with broader efforts to counteract asymmetric threats, particularly from non-state actors and insurgent groups that often employ hit-and-run tactics or take refuge in fortified positions.

The missile’s ability to engage targets beyond visual range while keeping the launch platform concealed enhances survivability and operational effectiveness.

A Transformative Shift in Attack Aviation

Beyond its immediate implications in Iraq, the operational deployment of the Spike NLOS on U.S. Army Apaches represents a broader shift in the evolution of attack aviation.

The TWZ report suggests that the U.S. Marine Corps is reportedly exploring similar efforts to extend the lethal reach of its AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, driven by lessons learned from ongoing conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, where advanced air defense systems have posed significant challenges to conventional airpower.

The recent integration of the Manned-Unmanned Teaming-Extended (MUMT-X) system on the deployed AH-64s further enhances battlefield awareness. This system, wrote TWZ, enables Apache crews to receive real-time intelligence and sensor feeds from uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) such as the MQ-1C Gray Eagle, allowing for more precise and informed strike operations.

As the U.S. Army continues to refine its attack aviation capabilities, the deployment of Spike NLOS-equipped Apaches in Iraq marks a crucial step in enhancing long-range precision strike operations.

The ability to engage targets at unprecedented distances, coupled with advanced targeting flexibility, positions these helicopters as a formidable force in modern aerial warfare.

With military operations ongoing in Iraq and the wider Middle East, the U.S. Army’s decision to operationally field the Spike NLOS missile on Apaches reflects a broader strategic vision—one that prioritizes adaptability, technological superiority, and increased lethality in an ever-changing battlefield environment.