Article Posted on : - Dec 03, 2014

ORLANDO, FLORIDA (BNS): Raytheon Company and Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture has recently delivered the 40,000th Javelin missile to the US Army.

Javelin is the world's premier shoulder-fired anti-armour system. After launch, Javelin automatically guides itself to the target, allowing the operator to take cover and avoid counterfire. The operator can reposition immediately after launch or reload to engage another threat.

Following launch, Javelin climbs above its target for improved visibility and then strikes where the vehicle's armour is weakest.Javelin's launch design allows it to be safely fired from inside buildings or bunkers.

"Javelin provides a real battlefield advantage for US and allied warfighters" said Richard Benton, Javelin Joint Venture vice president and Javelin programme manager at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "Javelin's reliability, accuracy and lethality make it a key weapon in operators' arsenals. The attention to detail that our entire production team, including our subcontractors, give to the Javelin missile have made this significant production milestone possible."

Javelin's versatility makes it effective against tanks, bunkers, buildings, small boats and slow-moving helicopters. The system has a 94 percent effectiveness rate in combat operation, and recent tests have demonstrated that it is also adaptable to many platforms, including tripods, trucks and lightly armored vehicles.

"The Javelin Joint Venture is providing US and allied warfighters with an affordable, versatile and lethal one-man-portable, anti-armour, guided missile and superior battlefield surveillance system," said John Halvey, Javelin Joint Venture president and program manager at Raytheon. "The industry and government Javelin team is committed to providing warfighters with the most advanced close combat weapons on the battlefield."