RESTON, Va. — Rafael Systems Global Sustainment (RSGS), the U.S.-based subsidiary of Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, has been awarded an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) through the Aviation & Missile Technology Consortium (AMTC) to pursue U.S. qualification of the SPIKE SR shoulder-launched missile.
The agreement, announced on September 22, 2026, covers the adaptation, integration and testing of the missile to meet specific U.S. military requirements. RSGS and Rafael will also support further development of advanced capabilities. The companies have not disclosed the agreement’s value or the expected qualification timeline.
SPIKE SR Missile
The SPIKE SR is a portable, fire-and-forget precision missile designed for dismounted infantry. It weighs about 10 kilograms (22 pounds) and has a range of roughly 2,000 meters.
The missile uses electro-optical guidance to engage stationary and moving targets in daylight and infrared conditions. It is equipped with a tandem HEAT warhead and can reach operational readiness in less than six seconds from power-up.
Rafael has designed the system for relatively simple operation, allowing infantry units to use it with limited training. The SPIKE SR is part of the wider SPIKE family, which is in service with 46 countries, including 22 NATO members.
RSGS Statement
LTG (Ret.) Joe Anderson, CEO of RSGS, said the agreement represents an important step in advancing the SPIKE SR capability for U.S. warfighters.
He said the company is supporting the U.S. defense community by adapting a lightweight, accurate and highly mobile precision missile to the operational needs of close-combat forces.
Earlier U.S. Army Evaluation
The U.S. Army previously evaluated the SPIKE SR during the Expeditionary Warrior Experiment (AEWE) in January 2021.
Soldiers conducted live-fire tests against both static and moving targets. Army evaluators provided positive feedback on the missile’s weight, lethality and ease of use compared with equipment then in service. However, the evaluation did not result in a production contract.
Building on 2025 Agreement
The new OTA builds on a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) signed in March 2025 between RSGS, Rafael and the Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center (DEVCOM AvMC).
The agreement covered the evaluation, future enhancements and U.S. adaptation of several SPIKE systems, including the SPIKE LR2, SPIKE SR, SPIKE ER2 and SPIKE Firefly loitering munition.
As part of the broader effort, the U.S. Army has been comparing SPIKE missiles with existing U.S. systems, including the FGM-148 Javelin and AGM-114 Hellfire, to evaluate how the technology could complement existing battlefield capabilities.
U.S. Qualification Effort
The AMTC is managed by Advanced Technology International and works with DEVCOM AvMC and Army Contracting Command–Redstone Arsenal to support aviation and missile technology development through Other Transaction Agreements.
The new agreement moves the SPIKE SR into a further phase of U.S.-specific adaptation, integration and qualification testing. It does not itself represent a disclosed production contract.
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