TUCSON, Ariz., 5 Sept. 2008. The Raytheon Company-Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture won a $111.6 million U.S. Army Global War on Terror supplemental contract to produce additional Javelin missiles and command launch units.

Javelin is the world's first man-portable, fire-and-forget, medium-range missile system, says a representative. The compact, lightweight missile is designed for one-soldier operations in all environments. The joint venture expects to deliver the missiles and CLUs to the U.S. Army in the spring of 2011.

"The Javelin is very effective in the battlefield. It weighs only 49 pounds and is soft launched, which means the rocket motor ignites outside the launch tube. Soldiers can fire Javelin from inside a protective enclosure," says Duane Gooden, Raytheon Missile Systems' Javelin program director and president of the Javelin Joint Venture. "Javelin's long-wave imaging infrared technology also allows use of the weapon during poor weather conditions."

The Javelin enhances direct-fire capability against armored vehicles, buildings, and field fortifications. Its anti-armor defense capabilities are critical to mission success in multiple environments. Javelin is currently in service with the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, and 10 allied customers.

"Javelin's infrared command launch unit is designed for easy and quick target engagement," says Hady Mourad, Lockheed Martin's vice president of the Javelin Joint Venture. "Its thermal sight is also an excellent surveillance device, which has been demonstrated in the Global War on Terror."