Israeli AH-64's with Spike

[WilliamB]

The August issue of AirForces Monthly is reporting that Israel has armed their AH-64Ds with Spike ATGMs. The Spike was tested on the AH-64 in November of 2016 and they were fully operational by May of this year. The Spike equipped version is called the Saraf. Has any one else heard about this? I don't know how reliable this source is.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

I've been keeping up with SPIKE for a long time now, it's not a SPIKE. Saraf and hopefully my old friend gingertanker will forgive me if I screw this up, is the IAF designation for their AH-64D LONGBOW the name means "FIERY SNAKE" appropriately enough.

Currently it can carry the SPIKE ER/LR (Very soon LR II, just completed operational tests.) and NLOS (2014) versions of the missile.
https://theaviationist.com/tag/israeli-air-force/
http://www.rafael.co.il/4565-2675-EN/Marketing.aspx

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

I thought I'd see what was last posted in this thread "Infantry Served Weapons and Organization" Posts #'s 28-32 concerning the SPIKE LR II were discussed 2 months ago there. In one Don indicated he's made the changes already and is awaiting an IDF decision where they'll be using them. For sure one will be their AH-64D helos. I'm waiting also and am comfortable still they'll be in use by the end of this year or sooner (Mid-Fall) and available for export by mid-2018.

I might just apply for a job with JANE's if my predictions are close!?! :re: ;)

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

[DRG]

https://theaviationist.com/2017/07/26/photos-of-ah-64d-apache-armed-with-spike-missiles-proves-that-the-weapon-is-operational-for-the-israeli-attack-helicopters/


.........IAF AH-64D “Saraf” of the 113 “Hornet” Squadron based at Ramon, Israel, carrying the indigenous Spike missile system in what appear to be the NLOS (Non-Line Of Sight) variant.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Just checked, same one I had in Post #2 above. Just wasn't sure if you had something newer. ;)

The following seems to make it official as well. Also the news here is that S. Korea has them as well on their AW-159 WILDCAT. By now Columbia should have them for their updated AH-60L ARPIA at a max. load-out of 16 missiles. Philippines were looking to get them for their naval AW-159 WILDCAT in 2018. And Chile is probably next up.
http://www.airforcesmonthly.com/2017/06/07/israel-shows-off-spike-on-apache/
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3415522/posts
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Israeli-made-Spike-missile-to-be-used-on-Philippine-helicopters-485489


Regards,
Pat
:capt: