Bagira and Rafael developing new Spike missile trainer for IDF

“An actual Spike missile launch has an enormous price tag and high logistic overhead expenses," explains Lieutenant Colonel (Res.) Yochai Vana, the mission trainer program manager. The new trainer is supposed to lower costs for IDF, without compromising the quality of training

Bagira and Rafael developing new Spike missile trainer for IDF

Photo: Bagira Systems

Bagira Systems, an Israeli training and simulations company, is collaborating with Rafael Advanced Defense System in developing a Spike missile operational launching system trainer for the IDF.

The trainer will allow soldiers to practice using a real launching system at each of Bagira’s mission trainer sites, which include a detailed virtual replica of the IDF’s main areas of interest. The first static site will be delivered this year to the School for Infantry Corps Professions and Squad Commanders. Additionally, in 2023 Bagira will deliver portable training systems, allowing for outdoor training at the point of need and during operational service deployments.

The company says that the trainer will integrate Bagira’s simulation engine with the actual Spike launching system and will allow exercises incorporating maneuver, joint fires support, and Spike missile launching.

The mission trainer program manager, Lieutenant Colonel (Res.) Yochai Vana, said that this cooperation is groundbreaking and will be very beneficial to the level of training in the IDF: “An actual Spike missile launch has an enormous price tag and high logistic overhead expenses. The new trainer will provide the IDF the ability to qualify and train with real systems in a highly realistic environment”.

The current mission trainers were recently upgraded to integrate with new target acquisition means, Horizon (Tevel) and Long View CR/SW (Matan). According to Bagira, The addition of the Spike missile to the platform results in a versatile land forces trainer, improving a vast array of capabilities: operation and direction of aircraft, qualification of battalion fire support officers (FSO), and the efficient utilization of Spike missiles.