Army orders imaging infrared-guided Javelin anti-armor missiles with tandem warheads in $47.2 million deal

Aug. 17, 2020
Javelin offers lock-on before launch and automatic self-guidance that attacks the vulnerable tops of armored combat vehicles.

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – Missiles experts at Lockheed Martin Corp. and Raytheon Technologies Corp., are building Javelin anti-tank missiles for the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and Navy under terms of a $47.2 million order.

Officials of the Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, Ala., are asking the Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture based in Tucson, Ariz., to build Javelin weapon systems for U.S. military services.

The electro-optically guided Javelin anti-armor weapon is an infantry fire-and-forget missile with lock-on before launch and automatic self-guidance designed to destroy main battle tanks, armored personnel carriers, and other armored combat vehicles. The missile also is effective against buildings and enemy helicopters.

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Javelin has an imaging infrared-guided seeker to guide the warhead to its target. The tandem warhead has two shaped charges: a precursor warhead to detonate any explosive reactive armor, and a primary warhead to penetrate base armor.

Javelin offers lock-on before launch and automatic self-guidance that attacks the vulnerable tops of armored vehicles. A two-person infantry team typically carries the missile.

Related: Navy orders infrared-guided RAM missile systems to protect surface ships

Raytheon produces the command launch unit, missile guidance electronic unit, and system software at the Raytheon Missiles & Defense segment in Tucson, Ariz. Lockheed Martin, meanwhile, produces the missile seeker and the electronic safe, arm, and fire electronic module in Ocala, Fla., and performs missile all-up-round assembly in Troy, Ala.

On this contract the Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture will do the work in Tucson, Ariz., and should be finished by August 2023.

For more information contact Raytheon at www.raytheonmissilesanddefense.com, or Lockheed Martin at www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/javelin.html.

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