- Rafael has begun integrating SPICE 1000 onto the F-35 fighter jet.
- SPICE 1000 is capable of precision strikes and is already in service with the Israeli Air Force.
- The integration project is intended to support Israel's F-35I aircraft, with potential future expansion to other countries.
- SPICE 1000 uses an electro-optical seeker for terminal guidance, addressing modern battlefield challenges.
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems announced on September 15 that it has begun integrating its SPICE 1000 air-to-ground weapon onto the F-35 fighter jet. The work is being carried out at a Lockheed Martin facility in the United States, marking the first effort to adapt the weapon to a fifth-generation fighter. The project is expected to bring SPICE 1000 into Israel's F-35I Adir fleet. Rafael described the effort as an "important step" aimed at making the weapon available to other F-35 operators worldwide.
SPICE 1000 heads to the F-35
SPICE 1000's long-range strike capability
The SPICE family is designed to give combat aircraft a long-range strike capability of more than 75 miles (approximately 120 kilometers). The product line includes SPICE 2000, SPICE 1000 and SPICE 250, with the numbers representing the approximate weapon weight in pounds. SPICE 1000 has been in service with the Israeli Air Force since 2017. Rafael said the weapon has been widely used in long-range operations from Israeli F-15 and F-16 aircraft. Integration with the F-35I will expand the range of aircraft that can carry the weapon.
Israel was the first country to use the F-35 in combat, deploying it since 2018, and has ordered an additional 25 aircraft, bringing the planned F-35 fleet to a total of 75.
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. is integrating its SPICE 1000 air-to-ground weapon onto the F-35 Adir fighter jet. SPICE 1000 is an advanced air-to-ground weapon capable of precision strikes.
Joint work underway in the United States
Rafael and Lockheed's collaboration history
Rafael said the F-35 integration is being carried out "as a joint project" with Lockheed Martin in the United States over the coming months. The two companies are working to enable SPICE 1000 to be carried and used on the aircraft. Rafael said the initial integration will support Israel's F-35I aircraft, with broader availability planned for the future. "In the later phase, F-35 operators worldwide will be able to deploy SPICE 1000," Rafael said. The Pentagon referenced the effort in a report released in April and made public in August.
The report noted that integration of SPICE onto the F-35 "continues to progress and is being accelerated through the SPICE Lite process." The report did not explain the specifics of the SPICE Lite process.
Guidance system directs the weapon to target
SPICE 1000 uses an electro-optical seeker for terminal guidance. Rafael said the system uses image-based recognition technology to match the target environment and guide the weapon during the attack. Rafael noted that SPICE is equipped with an electro-optical seeker, with the weapon locating targets through advanced scene-matching algorithms, optimized for the challenges of the modern battlefield. The weapon is designed for precision strikes against fixed and high-value targets, and is built to operate under complex battlefield conditions, allowing launching aircraft to attack from standoff range.
Earlier Rafael and Lockheed collaboration
The integration builds on earlier cooperation between the two companies. Rafael and Lockheed Martin signed a cooperation agreement in 2019 to jointly develop, market and manufacture the SPICE guidance kit for potential U.S. sales. At the time, Yuval Miller, executive vice president and general manager of Rafael's Air and C4ISR Division, said: "The completion of this exclusive agreement provides both companies with an unrivaled mid-range guided air-to-ground weapon system, enhancing mission flexibility and success rates." In 2021, the two companies expanded their collaboration to jointly develop SPICE 250 "for sale in the United States and Poland."
This new integration onto the F-35 now extends their collaboration to SPICE 1000 and Israeli-operated aircraft, and may include other F-35 users.
Item Specification Weapon model SPICE 1000 Air-to-ground strike range More than 75 miles (approximately 120 kilometers) Year entered service 2017
F-35 integration's global military implications
The effort to integrate SPICE 1000 onto the F-35 fighter jet marks an important advance in military technology, particularly in precision strike capability. It not only strengthens Israel's air combat capability, but also offers a potential weapon option for F-35 operators in other countries. As the integration progresses, the partnership between Rafael and Lockheed Martin will deepen further, potentially influencing future military strategy and the weapons market. The success of this technological integration will give nations greater flexibility and strike efficiency when facing complex battlefield environments.