Story perspectives

Rafael Integrates SPICE 1000 on F-35 Under “SPICE Lite”

By Drooid · Sep 16, 2026, 8:05 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is integrating its SPICE 1000 munition onto the F-35 fighter jet.
The integration is a joint project with Lockheed Martin at U.S. facilities.
SPICE 1000 can strike fixed or high-value targets beyond 120 km using an electro-optical seeker.
The weapon operates autonomously in GPS-denied environments and has served Israeli F-15/F-16 jets since 2017.
A Pentagon report says the integration proceeds via a “SPICE Lite” process targeting future worldwide F-35 fielding.

History

Historical Context

In 1998, the United States deployed the AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon on F-16 Fighting Falcons, marking integration of a glide bomb onto a fighter. The Department of Defense bought 2,000 JSOWs at about $30,000 each, proving a 130-km strike range without GPS. Now Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Lockheed Martin are mounting the SPICE 1000 on the F-35 Lightning II, giving Israel an autonomous 120-km capability on a fifth-generation jet. This pattern signals that future coalition air forces will depend on plug-and-play stand-off munitions, reshaping procurement for the U.S. and its allies.

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Story summary

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is integrating its SPICE 1000 munition onto the F-35 fighter jet.
The integration is a joint project with Lockheed Martin at U.S. facilities.
SPICE 1000 can strike fixed or high-value targets beyond 120 km using an electro-optical seeker.
The weapon operates autonomously in GPS-denied environments and has served Israeli F-15/F-16 jets since 2017.
A Pentagon report says the integration proceeds via a “SPICE Lite” process targeting future worldwide F-35 fielding.

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