Rafael and Lockheed to integrate Spice 1000 bomb on Israeli F-35Is

Rafael is carrying out integration work to add its Spice 1000 guided munition to the F-35I Adir fighters flown by Israel's air force. The project is a joint effort with Lockheed Martin and is being done at Lockheed's facilities in the United States, according to Rafael.

The company did not say when the integration would be finished or when testing would take place. Rafael describes the weapon as using scene-matching algorithms to home in on its target and as designed for modern combat conditions. The company says the Spice 1000 has been sold to a number of countries and is in service with several air forces, and that it has been a main munition for the Israeli air force for several years, including heavy use in recent long-distance operations launched from F-15 and F-16 aircraft.

The F-35 has two internal weapons bays, each able to hold one 453kg (1000lb) or 907kg weapon, so the fighter could carry one Spice 1000 per bay. Its four external hard points could each also take a Spice 1000, though carrying the weapon externally would raise the aircraft's radar cross section.

Israel operates 48 F-35Is, with more on order. Aviation analytics company Cirium indicates Israel has 48 F-15Is in service and two on order. Israel also plans to add another 25 F-35Is, which would bring its fleet to 75 aircraft.