Italian Tornadoes with Rafael SPICE GBUs

[Anatol Pigwa]

I bought the IDF weapons set from skunk model Workshop (1/72) and found out that thr Rafael SPICE system has apoarently been adopted on the Italian Tornados. Are there any pictures to support this claim?

 

Also has the SPICE or Delilah cruise missile been sold to any other countries? (I believe the Indians bought the SPICE for their Mirages).

 

Finally, does the Popeye and also the Delilah cruise missile require the DLP-2000 Data pod for guidance?

The SPICE can, as far as I found out, be guided trough the aforementioned pod but also be preprogrammed, i. which case the pod would nit be necessary.

 

 

Edited March 3, 2021 by Anatol Pigwa

[Silverkite]

we have spotters at Decimomannu airfield and I may take a look on the FB page hoping someone captured a glimpse of it, I don't know if they tested them during last year or they are testing it now, I'm sure a couple of years ago they had something bulky (no tanks) under their wings, but I was alone in the middle of a mountain, with no camera, just a binocular and couldn't take any kind of pictures

 

Luigi

[exdraken]

wow, that is interesting news to me, but makes perfect sense, thinking of the close cooperation in recent years! (M346 Master, G550 EW)

there are several versions of SPICE out there, size wise!

https://www.aresdifesa.it/contratto-da-200-milioni-di-dollari-a-rafael-per-spice-spike-e-bnet-da-un-paese-asiatico/

maybe a bit early for fotos...

 

Indian Mirage 2000 ans Spice is easier

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/iaf-strikes-mirage-2000-is-air-forces-go-to-fighter-for-tough-jobs-10-things-to-know-1999626

 

Also Colombian Kfirs use a smaller (1000lb/ 500kg) version

https://pixxan.co/post/166431727639/fuerza-aérea-colombiana-iai-kfir-c10-coa

 

 

 

[CharlieGolf2009]

I knew AMI used the JDAM on their Tornado's, but not the Spice. 

 

 

 

And didn't know either the Hellenic Air Force employed the Spice on their F-16's and Mirage 2000 apparently. Sorry for the OT. 

[scotthldr]

I’ve never heard of the Greeks using Spice??  There was word that they were in talks about a purchase way back in 2004, with further talks and supposedly an order in 2011, but as far as I know they were never delivered and I’ve never seen any in service. Happy to be proved wrong as it would make a good modelling subject. 

 

Can’t realty see why they would need them as they have access to all GBU, JDAM and JSOW. 

[CharlieGolf2009]

47 minutes ago, scotthldr said:

I’ve never heard of the Greeks using Spice??  There was word that they were in talks about a purchase way back in 2004, with further talks and supposedly an order in 2011, but as far as I know they were never delivered and I’ve never seen any in service. Happy to be proved wrong as it would make a good modelling subject. 

 

Can’t realty see why they would need them as they have access to all GBU, JDAM and JSOW. 

 

It seems that with the tightening of relations between Greece and Israel, Rafael promoted the Spice once again to the Hellenic Armed Forces at the end of last year. But like yourself, I don't know of any contracts signed yet, nor for that matter the need for such a weapon with the vast arsenal the greeks have.

 

https://www.ptisidiastima.com/rafael-promotes-spice-1000-2000/

 

Is the Spice perhaps cheaper than the JDAM? 

[scotthldr]

I can’t see the HAF purchasing Spice now, considering that the French AASM ‘Hammer’, is part of the Rafale deal, although stranger things have happened.

 

 As you say maybe they’re thinking of a replacement for JDAM based on price, however seeing as Greece very seldom drop live weapons and never in anger, I can’t see where the cost saving would be.

Edited March 3, 2021 by scotthldr
bud

[Robertone139]

I fail to see how Spice's flying surfaces would be compatible with the Tornado carriage.

[exdraken]

37 minutes ago, Robertone139 said:

I fail to see how Spice's flying surfaces would be compatible with the Tornado carriage.

You can mount them on the wing pylons like Harm occasionally

[Anatol Pigwa]

On 06/03/2021 at 02:54, Robertone139 said:

I fail to see how Spice's flying surfaces would be compatible with the Tornado carriage.

 

On 06/03/2021 at 03:33, exdraken said:

You can mount them on the wing pylons like Harm occasionally

 This. Also the wings are unfolding aftre launch, plus there are actually several versions of the Spice i.e. Spice 2000 does not incorporate flying surfaces. 

[exdraken]

2 hours ago, Anatol Pigwa said:

Also the wings are unfolding aftre launch, plus there are actually several versions of the Spice i.e. Spice 2000 does not incorporate flying surfaces. 

 

Actually the Spice 2000 has 12 wing type surfaces that do not extend after launch.the large middle might be a problem on the Tornado shoulder pylons

https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/103446/01/1034460134_0:134:2995:1755_1200x0_80_0_1_fee923d4b8064e6afbe1452c83be4379.jpg

 

There is the Spice 1000 though with extending wings ( not talked about in the Italian Airforce purchase link above though)

E.g.here

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRa4w7o2yv9TBtb5-DOgQcEGw30ACBnIdG-Kw&usqp=CAU