Spice has no engine to give it away to sensors and does not rely on global positioning systems (GPS) to guide it to its target, making it very hard to detect or deflect before its pinpoint impact on target, the officer in charge of the project said Monday.
Instead, digital pictures of the target are downloaded into the computerized guidance system, which then matches the picture to the reality on the ground.
In addition to its incredible accuracy, a fighter plane can be loaded with several Spice bombs which can be programmed to hit different targets despite being launched from the same spot. Once released, Spice glides in to destroy its target, which can be dozens of kilometers away.
Spice is a totally blue and white product, a joint project of the air force and Rafael Armaments Development Authority. While very effective, it is not cheap. It costs more than a Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) but is in “a different league,” according to the officer in charge. It has twice the range of the American-produced JDAM.
If the US air force was smart, they would be taking notes. The JDAM will not work if China or someone else takes out US satellites.