Spike Firefly
| Spike Firefly | |
|---|---|
| Type | Loitering munition |
| Place of origin |  Israel |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2020-present |
| Used by | Israeli Defense Forces |
| Wars | Gaza War |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2018 |
| Manufacturer | Rafael Advanced Defense Systems |
| Produced | 2018-present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3 kg |
| Width | 80 mm |
| Height | 400 mm |
| Warhead | 350 g |
| Engine | Electric motor |
Operational range | 1,500 m (open terrain) 500 m (urban terrain) |
| Maximum speed | 60 km/h (maneuvering) 70 km/h (diving) |
The Spike Firefly is a loitering munition built by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
Design
[edit]The Spike Firefly was developed to provide infantry forces with the capability to engage enemies behind cover during urban warfare; although it isn't an anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) like the rest of the Spike missile family, it is considered part of it from using components developed for them. A battery powers two electric motors that drive two counter-rotating two-blade rotors allowing for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and hovering with minimal noise. The munition body consists of three sections: a sensor package that includes an uncooled thermal imager and EO day sensor with a proximity sensor that can track and pursue agile targets; the battery that delivers endurance of 15 minutes; and a payload section. The payload can be a 350 g omnidirectional blast fragmentation warhead in a strike mode or another battery doubling endurance to 30 minutes in a reconnaissance mode. It can operate autonomously flying via waypoints, or be controlled by an operator to search and attack targets beyond line of sight. The operator-in-the-loop function allows for a strike to be aborted if needed, and it can return to be reused.[1][2]
The Spike Firefly body section is 400 mm tall, 80 mm wide, and weighs 3 kg. Control range is 1,500 m in open terrain and 500 m in an urban setting. It can fly at 60 km/h (17 m/s), reach 70 km/h (19 m/s) when diving for an attack, and can operate in wind speeds up to 36 km/h. A Spike Firefly system contains three munitions held in tubes and a 1 kg control unit carried in a backpack by a single operator totaling 15 kg.[1][2]
Operational history
[edit]Rafael unveiled the Spike Firefly in June 2018.[1][3] In May 2020, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced they were procuring the munition and calling it Maoz in IDF service.[4][5] It was first used in combat during the July 2023 Jenin incursion.[6][7] Following the October 7th attacks, the Spike Firefly was used in operations in the Gaza Strip during the Gaza War.[8]
Operators
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c Rafael: a new member for the Spike family. European Defence Review. 18 June 2018.
- ^ a b Israel’s FireFly Urban Warfare Drone Spotted In Jenin. The War Zone. 18 December 2023.
- ^ FireFly: New variant in Rafael’s Spike family of precision weapons. The Jerusalem Post. 5 June 2018.
- ^ Israeli MOD orders RAFAEL’s Spike FireFly loitering munition for IDF ground forces. European Defence Review. 4 May 2020.
- ^ Israel acquires FireFly loitering munition for close combat. C4ISRNET. 5 May 2020.
- ^ After use in combat, Rafael looks to future for Spike FireFly loitering munition. Breaking Defense. 14 July 2023.
- ^ Rafael confirms use of Firefly compact loitering munitions. Globes. 8 July 2024.
- ^ Israel uses new defense technology on Gaza battlefield. Foundation for Defense of Democracies. 19 December 2023.
External links
[edit]Military equipment produced by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems | ||
|---|---|---|
| Missiles, rockets, and projectiles |  | |
| Remote weapon stations | ||
| Air-defense systems | ||
| Surface vehicles | ||
| Electronic Warfare | ||
| Miscellaneous | ||
1 Joint venture with IAI. 2 Joint venture with DSTA. 3 Joint venture with Raytheon. 4 Joint venture with Hatehof. 5 Joint venture with Northrop Grumman. | ||