Page 95 - AirForces Monthly - Issue 381 (December 2019)

Below: From left to right, this F-16 is fitted with

Rafael Derby AAM (available for export only),
Python 5/6, SPICE 250s on a four-round launcher,
three external fuel tanks, SPICE 1000 and another
pair of Python 5/6s. It also carries a Litening
targeting pod on the engine intake.

Unsurprisingly, the first customer for the are attached to the aircraft’s pylons. Each laser-guided bombs. These require a laser
SPICE 250 is the IAF. The new version of rack can be loaded with four of the weapons. designator to illuminate the target. The SPICE
this air-to-ground weapon is intended to Meanwhile, an F-15 can carry 28 bombs of is a very good solution to fill the gap between
enable a very short ‘sensor to shooter’ time. this type. “This allows each aircraft to handle those two types of weapon systems.”
Unlike previous members of the SPICE family, multiple targets,” Miller said. He revealed The company official added that the image-
which were provided in kit form that was that the SPICE 250 can carry different types matching algorithm used by the SPICE
then attached to 1,000 and 2,000lb bombs, of explosives to handle “specific” targets. bombs has been developed in the last 20
this time the Israeli company is supplying a years and is therefore mature technology. “It
complete system. “There were no warheads SPICE for F-35 solves not only the endgame of the bomb
that we could use and therefore we developed In recent years, the IAF has integrated the SPICE but the entire flight towards the target” .
the full system, the guidance kit and the 2000 – the largest member of the family – on its Weiss added that the SPICE uses the image-
warhead or warheads,” Miller explained. F-16s. Israeli sources say the same weapon will matching algorithm “well before getting
The SPICE 250 can be loaded with 100 also be carried by the F-35I that’s currently being to the area where the target is located” .
optional targets in a given area and its delivered to the IAF. It is expected to be one of a
deployable wings allow an aircraft to carry range of Israeli-developed weapon systems that Automatic target recognition
more bombs. The weapon is guided using will eventually be carried by the stealth fighter. The SPICE family of bombs is currently
a combined GPS/inertial navigation system “The SPICE enables an air force to engage receiving further upgrades. Rafael Advanced
(INS) package. INS is used both as an inertial pixel-size targets from standoff ranges, with Defense Systems has recently successfully
measurement unit (IMU) and as a sensor a weapon designed for high immunity to tested and demonstrated a new automatic
device for the weapon’s angular position and interference and countermeasures,” said target recognition (ATR) capability for its SPICE
motion. The GPS receiver serves as a backup Miller. “With the SPICE 250 we are offering 250 air-to-surface munition. According to the
for the INS and reduces drift by including a smaller, lighter and more affordable company, this new and unique capability is
GPS inputs in any navigation calculations. weapon that also reduces collateral damage part of the weapon’s array of technologies,
However, the SPICE 250’s main sensor is the and increases mission effectiveness.” which includes automatic target acquisition
CCD/IIR dual seeker. This provides pinpoint The Rafael-developed missile rack provides all (ATA) and moving-target-detection homing
accuracy and positive target identification the weapon’s interfaces, including a dedicated modes, all of which are based on autonomous
and, according to Rafael, overcomes target communications link. This link provides the electro-optical scene-matching algorithms.
location error and GPS jamming. The company transfer of mid-course navigation corrections Gideon Weiss explained: “A specific target,
claims the weapon can achieve an extended to the weapon, as well as target updates and like a moving vehicle, can be put into the
standoff range of up to 62 miles (100km) selective targeting. In this way, the weapon special algorithm and it will look for the
using its pop-out wings. It also enables can also be used for pre-strike ‘snapshots’ matching pixels and bring the weapon
impact point update after release, using for battle damage assessment (BDA). system to hit it with absolute accuracy.” He
its communication module, and provides a The unique capabilities of Rafael’s SPICE added that the algorithm builds a three-
battle damage indication (BDI) capability, by bombs have attracted the attention of some dimensional image of the specific target.
transmitting the target image just before it is hit. major international arms companies. In Rafael claims the newly unveiled ATR feature
The Israeli company says that these May, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is a technological breakthrough, enabling
capabilities, along with airborne mission and Lockheed Martin signed a co-operation the SPICE 250 to effectively ‘learn’ the
planning, provide a comprehensive solution agreement to develop, market, manufacture and specific target characteristics ahead of the
for time-sensitive targets and moving land support the Israeli company’s bombs. According strike, using advanced AI and deep-learning
targets, as well as maritime objectives. The to Gideon Weiss, deputy general manager technologies. During flight, the pilot selects
SPICE 250 is released outside the defended of marketing and business development at the target type to be attacked and allocates
area and performs mid-course navigation Rafael’s Air & C4ISR Systems Division, the a target to each weapon. The weapons are
autonomously using its INS/GPS. As with ‘Americanisation’ of the SPICE bombs will allow launched towards the vicinity of the targets,
the other members of the series, when the Lockheed Martin to offer it to its customers. using their INS for initial navigation. On
weapon approaches the target, its scene- Weiss explained that the US Air Force is approach, the weapons use the ATR mode for
matching algorithm compares the electro- also a potential customer. “Currently the detection and recognition of the objectives.
optical image with mission reference data. Americans use high-end weapons systems Each weapon homes in on the pre-defined
To load the SPICE 250 on an F-16, specially like the AGM-158 air-launched cruise missile, target either autonomously or with a ‘human
developed Rafael Smart Quad Racks (SQR) and low-end systems like the Paveway in the loop’, aided by the ATR algorithm. AFM

www.Key.Aero #381 December 2019 // 93

90-93 Israeli AFM Dec2019.indd 93 11/11/2019 14:33:05