FGM-148 Javelin

For the British surface-to-air missile, see Javelin (surface-to-air missile).

FGM-148 Javelin
An assembled FGM-148 Javelin launcher
TypeAnti-tank missile
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1996–present
Used bySee Operators
Wars
Production history
DesignerTexas Instruments & Martin Marietta, now Raytheon Technologies & Lockheed Martin
DesignedJune 1989
ManufacturerRaytheon & Lockheed Martin
Unit costUS$216,717 (G-model missile only, FY2021)[6]
US$240,000 (missile only, export cost, FY2019)[7]
US$249,700 (Lightweight CLU only, FY2021)[6]
Produced1996–present
No. built50,000 missiles (12,000 CLUs)[8][9]
VariantsSee: § Variants
Specifications
Mass
  • 22.3 kg (49 lb), ready to fire
  • 6.4 kg (14 lb), detachable CLU[10][11]
  • 15.9 kg (35 lb), missile in launch tube
Length1.1 m (43 in) (missile)
Barrel length1.2 m (47 in)
Diameter127 mm (5.0 in)
Crew1 or 2
Calibre127 mm (5.0 in)
Effective firing range
  • Original CLU: 2,500 m (1.6 mi)
  • Lightweight CLU: 4,000 m (2.5 mi)[12]
  • From vehicle: 4,750 m (2.95 mi)[13][14]
SightsOptical sight & thermal imaging
WarheadTandem-charge HEAT
Warhead weight8.4 kg (19 lb)[15]
Detonation
mechanism
Contact fuze
Blast yield
  • Penetration:
  • Stated as being in excess of
  • 30 in (760 mm)  RHA
[16]
PropellantSolid-fuel
Flight ceiling150 m (490 ft) (top attack mode)
60 m (200 ft) (direct attack mode)
Guidance
system
Infrared homing
Launch
platform
Man-portable launcher

The FGM-148 Javelin, or Advanced Anti-Tank Weapon System-Medium (AAWS-M), is an American-made man-portable anti-tank system in service since 1996 and continuously upgraded. It replaced the M47 Dragon anti-tank missile in US service.[11] Its fire-and-forget design features automatic infrared guidance, allowing the user to seek cover immediately after launch, in contrast to wire-guided systems like the system used by the Dragon, which require a user to guide the weapon throughout the engagement. The Javelin's high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead can defeat modern tanks by top-down attack, hitting them from above, where their armor is thinnest, and is useful against fortifications in a direct attack flight. The Javelin uses a tandem charge warhead to circumvent an enemy tank's explosive reactive armor (ERA), which would normally render HEAT warheads ineffective.

As of 2019, according to claims by the manufacturer, the Javelin had been used in around five thousand successful engagements.[8] By August 2021, fifty thousand missiles had been delivered to customers.[9]

The weapon made its combat debut in Iraq in 2003 and rose to prominence in the Russo-Ukrainian War, where it saw extensive usage by Ukrainian forces during the early stages of the 2022 Russian invasion.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Javelin Afghanistan was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Linehan, Adam (2 June 2016). "Unsung Heroes: The 'Javelin Aces' Who Laid Waste To An Iraqi Armored Unit". Task & Purpose. New York: North Equity LLC. Archived from the original on 15 June 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  3. ^ Lagneau, Laurent (15 November 2016). "La bataille de Raqqa, en français dans le texte" [The battle of Raqqa, in French in the text]. opex360.com (in French). Zone militaire. Archived from the original on 30 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Libya was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Schogol, Jeff (7 March 2022). "The US and NATO have reportedly shipped 17,000 anti-tank weapons to Ukraine". Task & Purpose. New York: North Equity LLC. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Department of Defense Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Budget Estimates: Justification Book of Missile Procurement, Army" (PDF). Virginia: United States Department of the Army. February 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022. Page 66:"$165.355 million supports the production of 763 missiles and the non-recurring expenses for the G-model production cut-in"
  7. ^ "US approves Ukraine's purchase of 150 Javelin anti-tank missiles". 3 October 2019.
  8. ^ a b "Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture Awarded Contract For 2,100 F-Model Missiles, Marking Initial Full-Rate Production". Orlando, Florida: Lockheed Martin. 30 January 2019. Archived from the original on 2 February 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Javelin Takes the Weight Off of Soldiers' Shoulders". Lockheed Martin. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  10. ^ "Javelin (Warhead)" (PDF). Middletown, Iowa: American Ordnance LLC. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 September 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  11. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference army-technology.com was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ "Department of Defense Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Budget Estimates: Justification Book of Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Army RDT&E − Volume II, Budget Activity 5" (PDF). Virginia: United States Department of the Army. p. 187. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 April 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  13. ^ "Javelin Missile Hits Targets Beyond Current Maximum Range During Tests". missilethreat.com. Washington, D.C.: Center for Strategic and International Studies. 8 February 2013. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  14. ^ Mohammadi, Ali. "Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missile". Military Today. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  15. ^ Puttré, Michael, ed. (2004). International Electronic Countermeasures Handbook. Artech House. p. 139. ISBN 978-1-58053-898-5.
  16. ^ "Introduction to Crew Served Weapons B3M4078 Student Handout" (PDF). Camp Barrett, Virginia: United States Marine Corps. pp. 14–15. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 June 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2022.