A low-cost, shoulder-launched missile the U.S. Navy Department is developing for the Marine Corps and special operations forces eventually will be adapted for use on unmanned aerial vehicles, according to program representatives.

The Naval Air Warfare Center's Weapons Division is developing the Spike missile and launcher system initially for use by people on the ground. The system is envisioned as a safer, more accurate alternative to rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) and as a relatively inexpensive complement to the man-portable Javelin anti-tank missile.

While RPGs are unguided and have a range of only a few hundred yards, Spike will be guided with a laser designator or electro-optical imaging and have a range of about two miles.

A Javelin missile costs about $75,000. By comparison, a Spike missile is expected to cost only about $4,000. While the Javelin launcher costs about $125,000, the Spike launcher will have an estimated price tag of just $6,000.