Israel's Rafael Integrates Spice Bomb with F-35 Stealth Jets

Israeli defense contractor Rafael is integrating its advanced autonomous air-to-surface Spice bomb into the internal weapons bay of the U.S.-made F-35 stealth fighter jet. This integration, a joint project with F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin, aims to enable other F-35 customer nations to equip their aircraft with the sophisticated Israeli weaponry. The Spice bomb, which has won an Israeli Security Award, can strike fixed strategic targets over 120 kilometers away. It features an electro-optical seeker that uses advanced image-matching algorithms for precise targeting, making it immune to GPS jamming.

The Spice bomb is produced in three sizes and has a maximum range of 120 km. A version equipped with a small jet engine transforms it into a cost-effective cruise missile with a range of hundreds of kilometers. The Spice series has been sold to India and Greece and has been a primary munition for the Israeli Air Force for several years, notably used extensively in operations in Iran from F-15 and F-16 aircraft.

Integrating the Spice bomb into the F-35's internal bay is crucial for maintaining the aircraft's stealth capabilities. While it can be carried externally under the wings, this increases the aircraft's radar signature and fuel consumption. The integration project is being conducted at Lockheed Martin's facilities in the U.S. and is expected to conclude in the coming months. The F-35 has been sold to 20 countries, including major customers of Israel's defense industry such as Germany, Greece, and Finland.