The U.S. Army has selected Lockheed Martin’s Spike Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) system to advance to Phase 2 of the Mobile-Long Range Precision Strike Missile (M-LRPSM) Program, which aims to equip AH-64 Apache attack helicopters with new anti-tank missiles. The $30 million contract covers the design and construction of hardware to verify the missile’s operational safety and its integration onto infantry combat vehicles to demonstrate its effectiveness in diverse environments.
The background of this program dates back to December 2023, when Lockheed Martin successfully completed Phase 1 of M-LRPSM after integrating the Spike NLOS into a U.S. Army AH-64E Apache helicopter and conducting three test firings at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah. That campaign validated the accuracy and flexibility of NLOS launches from the Apache platform, laying the foundation for the current Phase 2.
The announcement follows an August demonstration in which the Spike NLOS showcased its precision strike capability against long-range targets hidden behind obstacles. It also highlighted the system’s participation in recent live-fire tests and demonstrations with the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade under U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), as well as with the 12th and 16th Combat Aviation Brigades in Poland and at Yuma Proving Ground, respectively.
The M-LRPSM requirement stems from the Army’s need to provide its Mobile Brigade Combat Teams with an extended-range, beyond-line-of-sight anti-tank strike capability featuring a range greater than 30 kilometers, multiple guidance modes, and enhanced electronic warfare resistance. The Spike NLOS, with its electro-optical seeker and integrated electronic warfare suite, meets these criteria by offering both direct and indirect fire capabilities against heavily defended targets.
Although Lockheed Martin–Rafael remains the sole candidate selected so far, analysts note that competitors such as Raytheon, with its Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM), and MBDA, with the Brimstone, could enter later phases of the competition. The final decision on the program award is expected after the completion of Phase 2 testing, projected for mid-2026.
If successful, Lockheed Martin will move forward with integrating the Spike NLOS onto the AH-64E Apache Guardian — the most modern and advanced version of the attack helicopter — expanding its mission profile and enhancing its deterrence and direct support capabilities for infantry brigades.
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