Javelin order for JV

The US Army has awarded the

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Javelin Joint Venture a $95 million contract for Javelin Anti-tank Weapon System production. The contract calls for 120 command launch units and 1,038 missiles.

Javelin is a man-portable weapon system that can be used day or night. With a range of up to 2,500 metres, using long-wave imaging infrared (IR) technology, it will allow for deployment by a single soldier and can be fired from within a confined space.

Javelin’s long-wave IR seeker enables it to engage in obscurants and reduced visibility and resists countermeasures. Raytheon says its versatility makes it effective against tanks, bunkers, buildings, small boats, and slow-moving helicopters. It is adaptable to many platforms, including tripods, trucks, light armoured vehicles, and remotely piloted vehicles.

Javelin is in service with the US Army and Marine Corps, as well as the armed forces of Australia, and has been used extensively in current operations including Operation Iraqi Freedom, where more than 1,000 rounds have been fired against tanks and alternate targets.

"Our customer has told us that during the initial invasion, Javelin played a critical role in neutralising Iraqi armour," said Mike Crisp, president of the Javelin JV. "This was evident in the taking of Baghdad Airport and also in the Battle of Debecka Pass, where 30 US special forces who were pinned down by an advancing Iraqi armoured column used Javelin to stop the enemy in its tracks and sustained no casualties."

"Since the armoured threat was eradicated, Javelin has seen extensive use against alternate targets such as buildings, bunkers and light armoured vehicles," added Howard Weaver, Javelin JV vice president.