Weighing only two pounds, Pike, designed by Raytheon is the world’s first ‘hand-launched precision-guided munition.’ Designed with a diameter of 40 mm the 430mm long Pike is a semi-active laser-guided precision weapon fired from a rifle-mounted grenade launcher.
Before firing the shooter needs only to aim the weapon toward the target, while another team member designates it with a laser designator. As a guided weapon Pike has an effective range 2,400 meters (1.5 miles), hitting within five meters or less of the target.
Powered by a rocket motor, the Pike munition can be fired from the new family of Enhanced Grenade Launcher Modules (EGLM), specifically the H&K M320 and the FNH Mk13. In addition to dismounted troops, Pike can be carried on multiple platforms, including Class 1 and II, unmanned aircraft systems, all-terrain vehicles, ground mobility vehicles, Common Remotely-Operated Weapons Station (CROWS) and small boats.
MBDA is developing the Enforcer KFK – a disposable, shoulder-launched guided weapon system that would be effective against a broad target range, from lightly armored static and moving targets, to infantry hiding behind cover. A German-led, multi-national MBDA program, Enforcer is currently in full-scale development following the completion of technology demonstration phase in 2014.
Enforcer KFK will be offered to the German army, where it will complement the Wirkmittel 90 Dynamit Nobel RGW 90) shoulder fired infantry anti-tank weapon, offering an additional munition for the system. Similar in size and operation to the RGW-90, Enforcer can be fired from enclosure and confined space thus minimizes operator exposure to enemy fire. The weapon system comprising the sight and two munitions weigh about 20 kg, with each missile stored in the disposable canister-launcher weighing about nine kilograms.
The weapon is offered as a complimentary multipurpose munition to existing shoulder-fired infantry weapon systems. It enables dismounted infantry to engage lightly protected battlefield/urban targets at relevant combat ranges, with high precision and minimal exposure to the operator. With overmatch both in range and lethality, a weapon of this type would be effective beyond the range of heavy machine guns, grenade and rocket launchers, when employed against armored vehicles, structures or concealed snipers.
The Enforcer concept is a new lightweight, disposable shoulder-launched guided munition with an effective range of up to 2,000 m. The missile is used as a ‘fire and forget’ weapon, featuring ‘lock on before launch’ target acquisition. Its current multi-effect warhead is designed for anti-tank role. In a counter-infantry mode, Enforcer can also engage targets behind defilade using airburst activation. Its modular design offers the prospect of a future family of Enforcer munitions.
The Israeli Spike SR is another example of miniature, ‘fire and forget’ guided weapon. Developed by RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems has developed a short-range, man-portable shoulder-fired ‘fire and forget’ version of the Spike multi-purpose guided missile. The weapon is carried in a disposable canister and uses its seeker for target acquisition (providing operator’s aiming device).
The seeker uses a dual camera comprising an uncooled imaging infrared (IIR) and high-resolution CCD cameras for target acquisition and tracking engaging stationery and moving targets in line-of-sight.
The weapon is ready to launch in six seconds; at the weight of 9.6 kg, Spike SR is lighter than similar weapons but also limited in range (50-1,500 m’). With options of several warhead types, Spike SR can be used as a high explosive anti-tank (HEAT), high-explosive fragmentation and anti-structure munitions. Earlier in 2016 Rafael delivered the first shipment of Spike SR to a foreign customer, upon the completion of the weapon’s developmental testing.
