Army Fires 17 Spike NLOS Missiles in Test
Infantry soldiers launched the missiles from an Infantry Squad Vehicle during a three-day demonstration at Dugway Proving Grounds.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Military
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US Army infantry soldiers fired 17 Spike NLOS missiles from an Infantry Squad Vehicle at Dugway Proving Grounds during a three-day demonstration engaging simulated targets at varied ranges. The firings were the first launches from that vehicle.
Why it matters
The test served as a demonstration for the Army's long-range strike requirement, which has lacked a beyond-line-of-sight anti-armour capability since Swingfire left service. Lockheed Martin plans more validation testing before the program moves to Phase 3 production.
The demonstration involved 17 Spike NLOS firings over three days, far exceeding the three vehicle-mounted firings used to down-select the missile last year. The stub does not report hit rates or performance outcomes from the live fire.
The players
Lockheed Martin
A major American defense contractor that developed the Spike NLOS missile and said the weapon was down-selected for the Army competition last year.
MBDA
A European missile manufacturer that holds a contract with Thales to explore technology for a new beyond-line-of-sight anti-armour weapon.
Thales
A French defense electronics and aerospace company that shares an anti-armour technology contract with MBDA.
The details
US Army infantry soldiers conducted the firings from an Infantry Squad Vehicle, with soldiers completing training and firing live missions within the same week. The Spike NLOS was down-selected for the competition last year, and the Army has pursued the capability to fill a gap left by Swingfire.
Timeline
Last year: Spike NLOS was down-selected after three vehicle-mounted firings at Dugway Proving Grounds.
September: MBDA and Thales were awarded contracts to explore technology for a new beyond-line-of-sight anti-armour weapon.
Over the next year: More validation testing is due before Phase 3 production begins.
Legal Context
The Army's effort to field a beyond-line-of-sight anti-armour weapon follows the removal of Swingfire from service, which left the force without that capability. The Spike NLOS demonstration is one step toward filling that gap under the Mobile-Long-Range Precision-Strike Missile requirement.
The Spike NLOS program is intended to give infantry units a beyond-line-of-sight anti-armour option mounted on the Infantry Squad Vehicle. Its progress through validation testing will determine when that capability could reach soldiers in the field.
The takeaway
The Spike NLOS test shows the Army moving toward restoring a long-range anti-armour capability, but the program still has validation testing ahead before production begins. Readers should watch for results from that testing to judge how quickly the weapon may be fielded.
What happens next
More validation testing is due over the next year, followed by Phase 3 initial operational production after final prototypes go to the Army.
Further reading
For more on the Army's weapons programs, explore Military coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by UK Defence Journal.
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