NAVAIR Spike

{{Infobox weapon |name= Spike |image= Spike missile orange.jpg |caption= |origin= [[United States]] |type= Miniature [[missile]]  |is_ranged= |is_explosive =yes |is_missile= yes |is_UK= no  |service= |used_by= |wars=  |designer= [[NAVAIR]] |design_date= |manufacturer= |unit_cost= $50,000{{cn|date=November 2025}} |production_date= |number= |variants=  |spec_label= |weight= {{convert|5.4|lb|kg|abbr=on}} |length= {{convert|25|in|mm|abbr=on}} |part_length= |width= |height= |diameter= {{convert|2.25|in|mm|abbr=on}} |crew= One  |cartridge= |caliber= |barrels= |action= |rate= |velocity= |range= |max_range= {{convert|2|mi|km|abbr=on}}+ |feed= |sights=  |filling= |filling_weight= {{convert|1|lb|g|abbr=on}} EFP |detonation= |yield=  |armour= |primary_armament= |secondary_armament= |engine= |engine_power= |transmission= |payload_capacity= |fuel_capacity= |pw_ratio= |suspension= |clearance= |vehicle_range= |speed= {{convert|600|mph|km/h m/s|abbr=on}} |guidance= EO, SAL, Inertial |launch platform= }}

The '''Spike''', also called the '''Forward Firing Miniature Munition''' ('''F2M2'''), is a small missile developed by the USA Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD), [[NAVAIR]]'s Weapons Division, currently being produced by Small Missile Company (SMC) in California<ref>{{Cite web |last=Company |first=Small Missile |title=Small Missile Company |url=https://smallmissiles.com/ |access-date=2025-11-18 |website=Small Missile Company |language=en-US}}</ref>.

==Background== The Spike was developed in response to operational needs encountered during operations against asymmetric warfare opponents.

Guided missiles like the [[AGM-114 Hellfire]] fired from aircraft and [[FGM-148 Javelin]] used by infantry have disadvantages when used against insurgents in urban areas. They are both cost-prohibitive, at around $100,000 per missile, and are designed to be used against slow-moving, heavily armored vehicles, such as tanks.

However, during the [[Iraq War]], they were employed against personnel and fast-moving, unarmored vehicles. Also, because they are made to destroy heavy vehicles, they use large warheads that could inflict unnecessary collateral damage.

The Spike was made to provide infantry with a shoulder-fired guided fire-and-forget missile system lighter and cheaper than the Javelin and produce light and more numerous weapons for [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]s (UAVs) to carry.<ref name="defensenews31may10">[http://archive.defensenews.com/article/20100531/DEFFEAT01/5310311/Smaller-Lighter-Cheaper Smaller, Lighter, Cheaper]{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} - Defensenews.com, 31 May 2010</ref><ref name="defenseupdate31dec10">[http://defense-update.com/20101231_spike_laser.html#.Vjz9bjeFOM8 U.S. Navy Develops EO Guided Spike] - Defense-Update.com, 31 December 2010</ref><ref name="defensereview19june06">[http://www.defensereview.com/spike-shoulder-launched-fire-and-forget-guided-missile-kills-fast-moving-threats/ SPIKE Shoulder-Launched Fire-and-Forget Guided Missile Kills Fast-Moving Threats] - Defensereview.com, 19 June 2006</ref><ref name="navytimes23feb14">[http://archive.navytimes.com/article/20140223/NEWS04/302230006/Navy-develops-world-s-smallest-guided-missile- Navy develops 'world's smallest guided missile'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151101023009/http://archive.navytimes.com/article/20140223/NEWS04/302230006/Navy-develops-world-s-smallest-guided-missile- |date=1 November 2015 }} - Navytimes.com, 23 February 2014</ref><ref name="wired9oct08">[https://www.wired.com/2008/10/more-bangs-for/ More Killer Drone Bangs For The Buck] - Wired.com, 9 October 2008</ref>

==History== [[File:Spike hits Outlaw UAV.jpg|thumb|NAVAIR Spike hits [[MQM-170|MQM-170C Outlaw]] target drone]] On 26 May 2004, the Spike accomplished its first three controlled test flights. The reduced-smoke motor propelled the missile from the launcher with a barely visible smoke trail, accelerating the missile to {{convert|600|mph|km/h m/s|abbr=on}} in under 1.5 seconds.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304131151/http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.NAVAIRNewsStory&id=2749 NAVY'S SMALLEST IMAGE-GUIDED MISSILE COMPLETES SUCCESSFUL TESTS] - NAVAIR.Navy.mil, 27 May 2004</ref>

On 12 April 2006, the Spike was launched at a 2-meter diameter target from 1,000 meters, impacting {{convert|8|in|mm|abbr=on}} from the center.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120925085729/http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.NAVAIRNewsStory&id=3468 World's Smallest Guided Missile Hits Target] - NAVAIR.Navy.mil, 19 April 2006</ref>

In May 2007, the Spike was fired at a moving vehicle target traveling {{convert|30|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} from 750 meters away, successfully tracking and hitting it.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304112114/http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.NAVAIRNewsStory&id=3710 Demonstration of new missile technology continues at NAWCWD China Lake] - NAVAIR.Navy.mil, 16 May 2007</ref>

On 12 February 2008, the missile went through a test firing from a mountaintop, simulating a UAV launch, and hit a vehicle target moving {{convert|20|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} from {{convert|1.5|mi|km|abbr=on}} away.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304131217/http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.NAVAIRNewsStory&id=3874 Spike missile project records another successful demo at China Lake] - NAVAIR.Navy.mil, 20 February 2008</ref>

In 2012, [[ARDEC]] and NAWCWD engineers discussed combining the Palletized Protection System (PPS), which uses radar to detect airborne and ground-based targets and cues a mounted camera toward them, with the Spike to quickly engage targets detected.

The Spike conducted an interception of an airborne target in June 2013 using this method, demonstrating its potential as a kill mechanism to accomplish the counter-UAV mission.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140307192427/http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.NAVAIRNewsStory&id=5544 NAWCWD develops forward-firing miniature munition ‘in-house’] - NAVAIR.Navy.mil, 4 February 2014</ref>

In December 2016, two Spikes integrated with [[proximity fuse]]s demonstrated the capability of the missile to shoot down UAVs.<ref>[https://www.armyrecognition.com/archives/archives-naval-defense/naval-defense-2017/us-navy-nawcwd-shoots-down-uav-with-spike-lightweigth-missile-during-tests US Navy NAWCWD Shoots Down UAV with Spike Lightweigth Missile During Tests] - Navyrecognition.com, 2 February 2017</ref>

==Design== Spike was designed by the [[U.S. Navy]], with assistance from [[DRS Technologies]], and is proclaimed to be "the world's smallest guided missile."

Initially made to be carried by [[U.S. Marines]], with three Spike missiles and the launcher able to fit in a standard backpack, it weighs {{convert|5.4|lb|kg|abbr=on}}, is {{convert|25|in|mm|abbr=on}} long, and {{convert|2.25|in|mm|abbr=on}} in diameter. The warhead weighs about 1 lb (450 g) and employs the [[explosively formed penetrator|Explosively Formed Projectile (EFP)]] effect, made to penetrate before detonating.

The Spike is powered by a small [[rocket motor]] that gives it a range exceeding {{convert|2|mi|km|abbr=on}}. The missile is directed to its target by either an [[electro-optical]] (EO) or [[semi-active laser]] (SAL) seeker; the EO camera is similar to a basic [[cellphone]] camera, containing a 1-[[megapixel]] video camera that allows the shooter to select the area to engage in a [[fire-and-forget]] mode. The EO seeker cannot operate at night, so the SAL would have to be used. A third targeting mode is inertial, meaning the user can "snap and shoot" at a target without needing to lock on out to 200 meters.

Both the Spike missile and reusable launcher each cost $50,000{{cn|date=November 2025}} and weigh {{convert|10|lb|kg|abbr=on}} loaded, compared to {{convert|49|lb|kg|abbr=on}} for a Javelin missile and fire control unit.<ref name="defensenews31may10" /><ref name="defenseupdate31dec10" /><ref name="defensereview19june06" /><ref name="navytimes23feb14" /><ref name="wired9oct08" />

== Usage == In addition to giving ground troops a lightweight missile, the Spike could easily be adapted to fit onto vehicles, aircraft, and small boats. Medium UAVs have difficulty carrying missiles such as the {{convert|100|lb|kg|abbr=on}} Hellfire due to weight and thrust issues, so that the Spike could be bolted on with less effect.

Smaller size and less weight allow more Spike missiles to be carried, and the smaller warhead provides lethality against soft targets with less chance of collateral damage. It can also be used by watercraft to defend against fast attack craft (FAC) and fast inshore attack craft (FIAC), where Spike's low cost enables more missiles to be available against large numbers of swarming targets.

Although its warhead might not be able to destroy the boats, its superior accuracy would let it hit critical areas to knock them out of commission.<ref name="defensenews31may10" /><ref name="navytimes23feb14" /><ref name="wired9oct08" /><ref>[https://www.wired.com/2014/02/navy-mini-missile/ Navy's Tiny 5-pound Missile Packs a Big Punch] - Wired.com, 28 February 2014</ref>

==See also== *[[AGM-176 Griffin]] *[[Avco Avroc]] *[[Pyros (bomb)]] *[[Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System]] *[[Martlet (missile)]] *[[Roketsan Cirit]] *[[Roketsan METE]]

==References== {{reflist}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

[[Category:Guided missiles of the United States]] [[Category:Explosive weapons]]