FGM-148 Javelin Anti-tank Guided Missile

Javelin provides the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and numerous international customers with a medium-range, “fire-and-forget” missile for use against a wide array of targets including armored vehicles, bunkers and caves. The system’s Command Launch Unit, or sight, performs surveillance, allowing a gunner to see the targets.

Javelin targets tanks, fighting vehicles, and can also be used to destroy helicopters and bunkers.

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The Javelin missile’s tandem warhead is a HEAT type. This round utilizes an explosive shaped charge to create a stream of super plastically deformed metal formed from trumpet-shaped metallic liners. The result is a narrow high velocity particle stream that can penetrate armor.

The Javelin system uses a soft launch mechanism. A launch motor using conventional rocket propellant ejects the missile from the launcher, but stops burning before the missile clears the tube.

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The Javelin is a fire-and-forget missile, after launch the missile has to be able to track and destroy its target without the gunner. This is done by coupling an on-board independent imaging IR system (different from CLU imaging system) with an on-board tracking system.

The weapon can be deployed from multiple platforms and used during the day, at night and in any kind of weather. The program has also demonstrated that Javelin can be fired from a remote launcher mounted on an unmanned ground vehicle.

Javelin has been used in Afghanistan and Iraq in more than 5,000 engagements. The system is scheduled to be in inventory until 2050.

The Titan unmanned ground vehicle, or UGV, mounts a Javelin anti-tank missile as well as a .50-caliber machine gun.

Estonian firm Milrem Robotics makes the Titan—a sort of jack-of-all-trades mechanical mule. It’s a 1.6-ton, 8-foot-long tracked robot that stands four feet tall, travels at twelve miles per hour, and can haul about a ton of cargo. The Titan can be fitted with various modules for tasks such as IED clearance, casualty evacuation and hauling cargo. The U.S. army is now evaluating it to haul the equipment of an infantry squad.

The US Army incorporated a Javelin capability into the Stryker, but it required the vehicle to stop and the operator to get out and fire the system and climb back into the vehicle. There is also a version that uses the Common Remote Weapons Station (CROWS) in operation by the 2nd Cavalry.

The Javelin is battle proven and successfully destroyed Russian and Chinese-made tanks, armored vehicles and armored personnel carrier in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria.

The Javelin has been exported to 19 countries including NATO member state, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East and Ukraine. Allegedly, America delivered the Javelin ATGM to Kurdish rebel in Syria. In May 2018, Ukraine purchased 210 Javelin missiles and 37 launchers from the United States for an estimated $47 million as part of $400 million Security assistance packages.

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