As part of the AUSA 2025 exhibition, held from October 13 to 15 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is presenting for the first time the L-SPIKE 4X, a new loitering-capable missile system designed to operate in highly contested environments without GPS dependence.
With a strong international presence and a focus on the integration of intelligent land systems, AUSA 2025 stands out as one of the most significant events on the global defense calendar. This year’s edition highlights loitering munitions, anti-armor capabilities, and systems resistant to electronic warfare, reflecting current trends in modern conflicts.
In this context, Rafael expands its renowned SPIKE missile family with the introduction of the L-SPIKE 4X, a hybrid system that combines the precision and speed of a missile with the persistence of a loitering munition. Unlike modified drones equipped with explosive payloads, the new L-SPIKE was conceived from the outset as a missile with integrated loitering capabilities, offering a versatile, precise, and autonomous platform for long-range strike operations.
The system can engage targets up to 40 kilometers away and is compatible with existing SPIKE NLOS launchers already deployed on land, air, and naval platforms, allowing for immediate integration by forces that currently operate within the SPIKE ecosystem. Powered by a jet engine, it can reach its maximum range in under five minutes in high-speed mode or remain airborne for 25 minutes in loitering mode, providing sustained observation and attack capability over the target area.
Among its configurations, the L-SPIKE 4X will feature a tandem HEAT warhead designed for neutralizing armored vehicles, as well as a multi-purpose warhead adaptable to various target types. Rafael also highlights the integration of hardened communication systems and AI-based algorithms for automatic target recognition and intelligent image acquisition, optimizing performance in electromagnetically contested environments while reducing operator workload.
The missile supports multi-operator functionality, enabling a single operator to control up to four units simultaneously while maintaining human oversight over the final engagement decision. “With the L-SPIKE 4X, we bring the legacy of the SPIKE family into a new dimension—combining the speed and precision of a missile with the persistence of a loitering effect,” said Yoav Tourgeman, President and CEO of Rafael, emphasizing that its compatibility with existing launchers “broadens operational options across air, land, and sea domains.”
In addition to the L-SPIKE 4X, Rafael is showcasing at AUSA 2025 a wide range of combat-proven systems. Among the main highlights are its high-energy laser systems IRON BEA, IRON BEAM-M, and LITE BEAM; multi-layered air defense solutions featuring Iron Dome and David’s Sling; and a comprehensive Counter-UAS portfolio including DRONE DOME, SPECTRUM DOME, GHOST HUNTER, and HUNTER EAGLE. In the land domain, the company also spotlights TROPHY, the only operational active protection system in service, currently deployed by multiple armed forces worldwide.
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