Paris Air Show 2023: Spice 250 ER offered for Luftwaffe SEAD role

A variant of the Spice 250 ER munition will provide a SEAD capability for the Luftwaffe. (Rafael)

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Diehl Defence, and Hensoldt Sensors have partnered to offer the German Luftwaffe a variant of Rafael's Spice 250 ER extended-range precision strike weapon adapted for the suppression of enemy air defence (SEAD) role.

Announcing their teaming agreement at the Paris Air Show 2023 on 20 June, the three companies said the collaboration aimed to provide a SEAD capability applicable to the Luftwaffe's planned new Eurofighter EK electronic warfare variant and the overarching Luftgestützte Wirkung im Elektromagnetischen Spektrum (luWES) programme.

The luWES ‘system of systems' is designed to deliver co-ordinated and synchronised SEAD effects across a broad frequency spectrum. As part of this construct, the Luftwaffe is planning to acquire 15 Eurofighter EK aircraft to replace its current Tornado ECR aircraft from around 2030.

The Spice 250 ER is a network-enabled, turbojet-powered stand-off weapon originally developed for long-range precision strike missions at ranges out to 150 km. Rafael and Diehl in June 2022 signed an agreement providing for Diehl to undertake production of the Spice 250 ER and the shorter-range Spice 250 glide weapon.

In a statement, Diehl said the modular design of the Spice 250 ER “allows for carrying enhanced payloads by replacing the traditional warhead [and] now provides SEAD capabilities”. It added that the Spice 250 ER “incorporates standardised electrical and physical interfaces found across the Spice family, optimising platform integration and reducing life-cycle cost”.

A Hensoldt source told Janes that the complete configuration of the enhanced system is not agreed yet, adding, “Overall, the idea is to give the Spice [weapon] an [electronic warfare] capability to enhance its effectiveness on the battlefield.”