Rafael’s L-SPIKE 4X Unveiled — A New Breed of Loitering Missile
Electro-optical, turbojet-powered munition boasts 30-minute loiter time, 40 km reach in five minutes and onboard AI for target recognition
By Ami Rojkes Dombe, Israeldefense co. 19/10/2025
https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/66562
The L-SPIKE 4X missile, developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, represents a new generation of loitering munitions that combine high reaction speed with an on-station (“loitering”) time of up to 30 minutes. It is an electro-optically guided missile with a turbojet engine, allowing it to reach ranges of up to 40 km in just five minutes.
The missile was unveiled for the first time at AUSA 2025 in the United States and is intended for both ground and air launch. It belongs to a new category of “Launched Effects” — munitions fired from existing platforms (such as SPIKE NLOS launchers or AH-64 Apache helicopters) that operate like attack drones, with the ability to loiter, gather intelligence and conduct autonomous strikes.
The L-SPIKE 4X is considered the sixth generation of SPIKE missiles, advancing beyond fifth-generation capabilities that included beyond-line-of-sight (NLOS) strikes with real-time control. The new model offers detection, tracking and engagement of moving or time-sensitive targets (TCTs), while maintaining a low signature that gives it high survivability even in contested environments.
The missile is fitted with a powerful warhead, high maneuverability, and an advanced guidance suite that incorporates artificial intelligence for target recognition. This combination enables it to operate in complex conditions and to carry out precise strikes while reducing collateral damage.
Another significant advantage is operational flexibility: the missile can be launched from a variety of platforms and is suited to diverse combat environments — from special operations to deep-strike missions. The ability to loiter and select a target in real time gives commanders in the field a versatile tool capable of rapid response to evolving threats.
In summary, the L-SPIKE 4X is a breakthrough munition that bridges classic missile technology and attack-drone capabilities. It combines speed, precision, flexibility and loiter time, and points to the future direction of precision warfare in an era of intelligent, multi-dimensional systems.
L-SPIKE® 4X - New SPIKE Missile with Loitering Capability
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