Spice 250 bombs - the Israeli Secret Weapon exposed

The Israeli air force is equipping its fighter fleet with Rafael's new Spice 250 glide bomb, with the company having disclosed partial details of the system.

Unlike previous members of the company's Spice family of weapons, which added precision guidance kits to 2,000lb (900kg) and 1,000lb "dumb" bombs, this time Rafael is supplying a complete system, weighing 113kg.
Rafael says the Spice 250 can be loaded with 100 optional targets in a given area, with scene-matching algorithms. As with previous Spice products, the weapon navigates to a target area using INS/GPS guidance, before its electro-optical/imaging infrared sensor is engaged.


Rafael

This combination enables a claimed circular error of probability accuracy of less than 10ft (3m), with positive target identification and no risk of GPS jamming, Rafael adds. The weapon also can provide a battle damage indication capability by transmitting an image of its target just before it is struck.

According to Rafael the Spice 250 can achieve an extended standoff range of up to 54nm (100km) using its deployable wings, which also allow for increased weapons load-out on combat aircraft.

Rafael also is supplying its smart quad rack to the air force, with each capable of carrying four Spice 250 bombs. The weapon will arm the Lockheed Martin F-16, while a Boeing F-15 will be capable of carrying a maximum of 28.

"This allows each aircraft to handle multiple targets," says Rafael, including engaging time-sensitive targets and moving ground and maritime threats.

The Spice 250 can also be armed with different types of explosives, in order to handle specific targets, says Yuval Miller, head of Rafael's air-to-ground directorate.

Behind the scenes of IDF 'Operation Full Disclosure' Advanced medical facilties, riot gear, and full documentation of events: the IDF has learned from the Mavi Marmara incident. There may be an air of festivity among the defense establishment in Israel over the successful operation to seize an Iranian weapons ship. But the way back to Israel is still perilous for the troops escorting the Klos C, captured Tuesday night 1,500 km from Israel's shores. The IDF has not yet ruled out the chances of an attack on the flotilla of Israel Navy gunships accompanying the Klos-C on its journey to port in Eilat. IDF knows that the early announcement of the operation could make the trip home more perilous, and even invite attacks. The flotilla will follow a narrow route, past the shores of hostile locations such as Sudan, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia and even Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, where Jihadist cells are active. Fearing attempts to fire missiles on the ships, the flotilla is accompanied by an IAF unmanned aerial vehicle. The ships are expected to arrive in Eilat overnight Saturday, and only then a full inventory of the 150 containers on the Klos-C can be completed. Troops from the IDF Engineering Corps' Yahalom Brigade are waiting in Eilat to deal with both the long-range M-302 missiles and the massive amounts of ammunition such as mortars, rockets and machine gun rounds. The Klos C After days of surveillance far out to sea, Israeli Shayetet 13 commandos seized the merchant vessel that had set sail from Iran, heading for Gaza via Iraq and Sudan. Onboard, the commandos found the long-range missiles concealed in containers full of concrete. Hundreds of combat troops participated in the operation, as well as two missile boats, a 193 Squadron rescue helicopter and IAF drones. The 17 crew members on board – representing a variety of nationalities – are being investigated for their involvement in the attempted smuggling operation. צילום: דו"צ Israeli Navy prepares for takeover of Iranian ship   Full Disclosure The Navy did not take any risks ahead of "Operation Full Disclosure", and prepared to handle a variety of complex scenarios. Reserve soldiers and Satil (missile ship) Special Forces who took part in the operation are now sailing the Klos C, having received special training to do so. One of the primary scenarios the Navy had prepared for was a violent confrontation with armed Iranian guards. The main concern was that soldiers would be wounded, and the great distance from Israel ruled out the option of calling for backup or an evacuation. Therefore, two rooms on the missile ships were equipped with the most advanced medical equipment, and dozens of doctors and paramedics took part, along with a IAF rescue helicopter able to cover short distances. Another scenario was the possibility that crew members or other persons who had sailed to the scene in small boats would then engage in disorderly conduct. This is where the lessons of the Mavi Marmara raid of May 2010 came into play, and troops were equipped with riot control gear. Another lesson from previous operations was the need to fully document the operation, which also gave the operation its name. Cameramen from the IDF Spokesperson's Unit were deployed alongside the commandos, and footage of the takeover was quickly sent back to the Kirya, the IDF's central base in Tel Aviv. IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz (Photo: IDF Spokesman) Vice Admiral Ram Rotberg, the commander of the Israeli Navy, who oversaw the operation, and IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz, who was at the Kirya, were also wearing microphones that documented their exchanges during the operation. One other central concern was that foreign networks would break the news of the operation before the IDF, thereby presenting an image to the world by of a violent Israeli Navy forcibly overtaking an innocent merchant ship. That was not the case, however, and the army was able to keep the lid on the operation until it lifted the gag order at 1:30 pm on Wednesday, Israel time.