WASHINGTON — The Pentagon’s F-35 Modernized Selected Acquisition Report, published in early August 2026, detailed the acceleration of the SPICE 1000 integration project. The report stated that the integration of the Israel-unique Smart, Precise Impact, Cost-Effective 1000B continues to progress with a strategy to accelerate implementation via a SPICE Lite process.

SPICE is a family of electro-optically guided tactical stand-off strike weapons. The system incorporates an electro-optic seeker and advanced navigation technologies for use in GPS-denied environments.

The SPICE 1000 variant has a stand-off range of approximately 125 kilometers due to deployable wings. This represents a 108.3% increase over the glide range of approximately 60 kilometers for the SPICE 2000 variant, which carries a 2,000-pound warhead. The SPICE 1000 kit has a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of 3 meters.

The SPICE 250 is a lightweight glide munition designed for man-in-the-loop control, allowing real-time steering, redirection, or aborting of the strike. Aircraft can carry up to 16 SPICE 250 munitions at once.

"SPICE 1000 has been sold to several countries and is in operational service with a number of air forces worldwide. It has served as a primary munition of the Israeli Air Force for several years, including extensive use in recent long-range operations flown from F-15 and F-16 aircraft, Rafael said."

Israeli F-35 Adir fighters can carry JDAMs on external pylons, unlike other F-35 variants which store munitions internally to maintain low radar signature. The Israeli Adir is the only F-35 in the world to have conducted operational strikes with an external weapons configuration, significantly increasing its strike capacity," the Israel Defense Forces said."

Three F-35s equipped with Technology Refresh 3 hardware arrived in Israel in January 2026. The TR-3 program overhauls the F-35’s core computing infrastructure as a stopgap until Block 4 enters production. The SPICE munition is expected to be carried in the internal weapons bay of TR-3 platforms. "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 said.

In May 2026, Israel announced it would increase its F-35 fleet size from 50 to 100 aircraft. Israel recently decided to acquire another 25 F-35 aircraft, for a total of 75. In May 2026, Israel also announced it would increase its new F-15IA fleet size from 25 to 50 aircraft.

Why It Matters

The acceleration of SPICE 1000 integration onto the F-35 Adir expands the strike capacity of Israel's stealth fighter fleet. The Israeli Adir is distinct among global F-35 operators for its ability to conduct operational strikes with an external weapons configuration. This capability allows the aircraft to carry larger munitions than those stored internally, though it alters the radar signature profile.

The expansion of the F-35 fleet from 50 to 100 aircraft, alongside the acquisition of additional F-15IA jets, indicates a broadening of Israel's air combat resources. The integration of extended-range tanks and electronic warfare pods further supports long-range mission profiles. These developments occur alongside ongoing modernization efforts such as the TR-3 hardware updates and the future Block 4 upgrades.

Timeline

SPICE 1000 has been operational with the Israel Air Force since 2017. Israel was the first country to use the F-35 in combat in 2018. In 2019, Rafael and Lockheed Martin signed a teaming agreement to jointly develop, market, and manufacture SPICE guidance kits for US sales. In 2021, Rafael and Lockheed Martin expanded their teaming agreement to jointly develop SPICE 250 for sale in the United States and Poland.

Videos published by the Israel Air Force showed SPICE munitions being used in Operation Roaring Lion, including footage from the missile’s perspective. "The Israeli Adir is the only F-35 in the world to have conducted operational strikes with an external weapons configuration, significantly increasing its strike capacity," the Israel Forces said in March 2026. In May 2026, Israel's Defense Ministry signed a contract with Elbit Systems subsidiary Cyclone to develop extended-range capability for the F-35 Adir fighter jet.

What's New

A study titled "AI Integration in Tactical Communication Systems and Networks: A Survey and Future Research Directions" was published in 2025 in Systems.

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is an Israeli defense technology company. Lockheed Martin is a US aerospace and defense manufacturer.

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on the scope of cooperation between Lockheed Martin and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. The Rafael Advanced Defense Systems announcement at the AFA Air Space & Cyber conference stated that Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Lockheed Martin are accelerating the integration of SPICE 1000 munitions onto Israel Air Force F-35 Adir stealth fighters. The Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Lockheed Martin joint press release from 2019 stated that in 2019, Rafael and Lockheed Martin signed a teaming agreement to jointly develop, market, and manufacture SPICE guidance kits for US sales.

Sources also differ on the extent of agreements regarding specific munition variants. The Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Lockheed Martin joint press release from 2021 stated that in 2021, Rafael and Lockheed Martin expanded their teaming agreement to jointly develop SPICE 250 for sale in the United States and Poland.

Sources differ on the entities responsible for extended-range capabilities.

Sources differ on the operational context of munitions usage. The Israel Air Force video release showed videos published by the Israel Air Force showing SPICE munitions being used in Operation Roaring Lion, including footage from the missile’s perspective.

Sources differ on the location and scope of development agreements. The Rafael Advanced Defense Systems statement stated that the integration is being carried out as a joint project between Rafael and Lockheed Martin at Lockheed Martin facilities in the United States.