Rafael's Spike Missile Successfully Fired from German UGV, Marking Technological Advancement
German defense company Diehl Defense, in collaboration with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and EuroSpike GmbH, has successfully conducted firing tests of the Spike LR guided missile from the Ziesel unmanned ground vehicle (UGV). This marks the first instance of the missile being launched from an unmanned platform. Over a five-day period, 17 guided missiles were fired, demonstrating the platform's robust performance. The tests follow the public unveiling of the Ziesel with the Spike launcher at Enforce Tac 2025 in Nürnberg. The Ziesel UGV, a compact tracked platform, is designed for logistics, casualty evacuation, and reconnaissance, and is equipped with an autonomy kit for fully autonomous navigation. The Bundeswehr, Germany's armed forces, is aiming to enhance its military capabilities with a focus on technology and innovation by 2039. 
