Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has started integrating its SPICE 1000 precision-guided munition onto Israel’s F-35I Adir, in a joint programme with Lockheed Martin at the US manufacturer’s facilities. The work is intended to clear the 1,000-lb-class weapon for use by the Israeli Air Force’s stealth fighters after a qualification effort expected to take several months.
The upgrade gives the F-35I an additional stand-off strike option using a munition already fielded on Israeli F-15 and F-16 aircraft. SPICE 1000 combines electro-optical guidance with a glide kit and is designed to remain effective in GPS-denied conditions, with quoted ranges of more than 120 km and accuracy measured in metres.
The integration also broadens the F-35’s non-U.S. weapon mix and could create a pathway for other operators if Rafael chooses to offer the capability beyond Israel. The effort follows earlier references in a US F-35 modernisation report to integration of the Israel-unique SPICE 1000B and a faster SPICE Lite route, while final carriage details and an in-service date have not been disclosed.