On 26 February 2025, the U.S. Army deployed the Spike Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) missile on its AH-64E Version 6 attack helicopters, significantly enhancing their long-range strike capabilities. High-resolution images confirmed the presence of these advanced guided missiles during Allied Spirit exercises in Germany, where they have been tested in a multinational operational environment. The integration of the Spike NLOS on the AH-64E represents a key development in the Army’s long-range engagement capabilities, enabling it to engage targets well beyond the front lines while reducing exposure to enemy defenses.
The integration of the Spike NLOS into Apache helicopters under the Interim Long-Range Precision Munition (I-LRPM) program provides attack units with long-range precision strike capabilities as an interim solution pending the development of next-generation strategic munitions.
The Spike NLOS introduces a significant range and firepower advantage, extending the Apache’s strike capability to 32 kilometers. This is four times the range of the AGM-114 Hellfire and AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM), which have traditionally been the primary air-to-ground munitions for U.S. attack helicopters. This increased range allows for the engagement of strategic targets beyond the reach of enemy air defense systems. It enhances effectiveness in contested environments where radar-guided and infrared-tracking surface-to-air missile threats are prevalent.