Even after nearly 30 years of service, the FGM-148 Javelin continues to dominate on the battlefield.
The FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile system has gained widespread media attention in recent years for its role in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The American-made, man-portable fire-and-forget weapon has undergone several facelifts since its introduction into service nearly three decades ago in order to remain relevant in an increasingly advancing threat climate. Most recently, L3Harris Technologies has secured a contract to continue manufacturing propulsion systems for the Javelin. As part of the $292 million arrangement, the firm will continue to produce the weapon’s solid rocket motors. Ken Bedingfield, president of Aerojet Rocketdyne at L3 Harris, said that the new deal will help the firm expand its role in supplying a vital capability for the US military and its partners. “Our ongoing investments in modernized solid rocket motor manufacturing will allow us to increase production capacity for Javelin by incorporating the latest advancements in automation into the motor casting and installation processes,” Bedingfield added.
The Javelin Continues to Dominate
The FGM-148 Javelin may be nearing its third decade in service, but the infamous anti-tank missile system continues to dominate on the battlefield. The two-part missile system consists of a command launch unit (CLU) and a launch tube assembly (LTA). To find and fix targets, operators use one of the three main views on the CLU: the thermal view, the 4x magnification optical lens view, or the seeker view. As a fire-and-forget weapon, the Javelin enables its operator to remain undetected post-launch. The gunner has the opportunity to take cover and avoid counterfire, increasing the chance of survival. As detailed by manufacturer Lockheed Martin, “Using an arched top-attack profile, Javelin climbs above its target for improved visibility and then strikes where the armor is weakest. To fire, the gunner places a cursor over the selected target. The Javelin command launch unit then sends a lock-on-before-launch signal to the missile.” Once the missile is fired, it is guided by an infrared seeker, which helps it travel at a rate of 1,000 feet per seven seconds. In total, the Javelin weighs just under 50 pounds, making it quite mobile. In addition to being launched on the shoulder of a soldier, the anti-tank weapon can also be mounted to a wheeled or tracked vehicle, making it a versatile weapon.
Based on its stellar capabilities and track record, the Javelin remains one of the most coveted weapons of its kind across the globe. Ukraine has particularly used the anti-tank weapon frequently to counter Russia’s main battle tank fleets. In fact, the fire-and-forget missile system is referred to as “Saint Javelin, Protector of Ukraine” by its operators. Earlier this summer, the US State Department greenlit a foreign military sale of Javelins to Estonia. The United States clearly has a vested interest in the security and defense of allied nations in Eastern Europe. In light of the procurement, the agency stated, “The sale would enhance Estonia’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing a credible force that can deter adversaries and participate in NATO operations.”
About the Author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has bylines in many publications, including The National Interest, The Jerusalem Post, and The Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin.
Image: DVIDS.
