Rafael and Lockheed Martin Integrate SPICE 1000 onto Israel’s F-35 Adir

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Lockheed Martin have begun the first integration of the SPICE 1000 precision-guided glide bomb with the Israeli-operated F-35 Adir. The work, carried out at Lockheed Martin facilities in the United States, is slated for completion within the next few months. Once qualified, the Israel Air Force will launch SPICE 1000 directly from its F-35 fleet, and the companies say the weapon could later be offered to other nations that operate the aircraft.

Rafael, Lockheed Martin begin integrating SPICE 1000 precision weapon on F-35 Adir, adding strike reach beyond 120 kilometers CTechRafael Integrates SPICE 1000 Precision Weapon With F-35 The Jerusalem PostBreaking DefenseAFA 2026: For the first time, Rafael’s SPICE 1000 is being integrated on the F-35

The SPICE family—Smart, Precise Impact, Cost-Effective—includes 250 lb, 1000 lb, and 2000 lb variants and has earned the Israel Defense Prize for its guidance technology. SPICE 1000, a 1000-pound glide bomb, has been in Israeli service since 2017, used from F-15 and F-16 platforms in long-range missions. Israel, one of roughly 20 countries operating the F-35, first employed the jet in combat in 2018 and now fields 75 aircraft.

The Jerusalem Post

• Weight: 1,000 lb (? 450 kg) warhead.

The Jerusalem Post

• Range: Stated stand-off reach of more than 120 km (some sources cite 125 km).

AFA 2026: For the first time, Rafael’s SPICE 1000 is being integrated on the F-35

• Guidance: Electro-optical seeker with scene-matching algorithms, functional in GPS-denied environments.

Rafael Integrates SPICE 1000 Precision Weapon With F-35

• Accuracy: CEP of about 3 m.

CTech

• Capacity: The F-35’s internal weapons bay can accommodate the munition; Block 4 upgrades are expected to increase carriage capability.

The Jerusalem Post

Lockheed Martin noted that the Block 4 modernization—over 70 upgrades across all three F-35 variants—will expand missile capacity and electronic-warfare capabilities, supporting the weapon’s deployment.

The Jerusalem Post

• “At a later stage, F-35 operators worldwide will be able to field SPICE 1000,” — August, Rafael, general manager

Breaking Defense

• “Block 4 modernization – over 70 major upgrades for all three F-35 variants – is the most significant evolution of F-35 capabilities to date, including increased missile capacity, advanced electronic warfare capabilities, and improved target recognition,” — Lockheed Martin, at its U.S. facilities

The Jerusalem Post

Rafael says the integration aligns with Israel’s ongoing F-35 upgrades, including the Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) rollout in January 2026 and forthcoming Block 4 enhancements that will broaden internal weapons-bay capacity. A May contract between Israel’s Defense Ministry and Elbit Systems subsidiary Cyclone aims to add external fuel tanks to the F-35, extending its operational range.

The Jerusalem Post

Public sources agree on the core specifications and timeline but differ on the exact stand-off range—some cite “more than 120 km,” others “about 125 km.” No definitive fielding date beyond the “next few months” window has been provided, and details on the SPICE Lite process remain undisclosed.

Breaking Defense