The U.S. 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, the only unit permanently stationed in Europe and armed with Apache helicopters, uses Spike NLOS anti-tank guided missiles with a range of over 32 km.
The 12th Brigade has one battalion with 24 Apache Guardian helicopters in the AH-64E v6 version, with which it has been rearmed since the second half of 2023. These helicopters, in addition to a deeply modernized radar and the ability to coordinate the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (MUM-T), as well as a number of other improvements in avionics, targeting systems, propulsion and self-defense, are also fully integrated with the Spike NLOS missiles.
This means that they can engage targets up to 32 km away, while previously, with the use of Hellfire missiles and the first version of JAGM missiles, it was only possible to engage targets at distances of less than 10 km. The U.S. Army decided to introduce Spike NLOS missiles on the Apache a few years ago, due to the need to increase the ability to hit targets beyond the range of air defense.
Author. Capt. Lydia LaRue / 12 CAB
Today, the American Apaches serving in Europe are fully integrated with them, and the Spike NLOS carry is regularly practiced. Spike NLOS were visible during the Allied Spirit exercises, which took place in Germany in cooperation with, among others, the Lithuanian Land Forces. It should be added that apart from the 12th Brigade, the second unit armed with Apaches in Europe is the combat aviation brigade stationed on the eastern flank, including Poland, on a rotational basis.
Currently, this function is performed by the Land Forces Aviation Brigade, which is part of the 1st Armored Division and commanded by Col. Margaret Stick. This unit will support Poland, m.in. in the implementation of older, leased AH-64Ds, which will appear in the country soon. The new AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters purchased in 2023 will be delivered in 2028-2032.
Spike NLOS is an Israeli multi-purpose guided missile with a multi-sensor optoelectronic guidance head and a radio data link. The standard version, integrated with the American Apaches, has a range of up to 32 km. Such missiles can also be fired from land and sea platforms. The developed new variant, in turn, has the ability to combat targets up to 50 km away when fired from a helicopter, as well as greater capabilities to operate in a network-centric environment.
