Tag Archives: Javelin

Ground Forces, Missiles & Guided Weapons, Rocket

Javelin

The U.S. Army awarded the Javelin Joint Venture (JJV) an Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) production contract with a total ceiling of $7.2 billion for fiscal years 2023 to 2026 for the Javelin weapon system and associated equipment and services. This award includes a base year with authorized funding to $1.02 billion and production ramp support to increase Javelin All Up Round (AUR) production to 3,960 per year by late 2026.

Javelin
U.S. Army Awards Javelin Production Contract

The production contract provides procurement of Javelin systems and support for the U.S. Army and international customers. The contract will also provide tooling, test equipment and Non-Recurring Effort (NRE) for the Javelin production ramp that will support increasing Javelin production capacity both at JJV factories and throughout the supply chain.

«We understand the importance of delivering Javelin and its proven capabilities to our customers worldwide so they’re prepared for the missions they face today and tomorrow», says Dave Pantano, JJV vice president and Lockheed Martin Javelin program director. «This contract allows us to continue to evolve with our customers’ needs, while ramping up Javelin production to support the increased international interest for this multi-purpose weapon system».

With more than 20 international customers worldwide, the contract supports Javelin’s increased global demand, including new international customer North Macedonia.

«Javelin’s continued reliability and effectiveness has only bolstered demand for this battle-proven, fire-and-forget precision anti-armor weapon», said Andy Amaro, JJV president and Raytheon’s Javelin program director. «Together with our U.S. Army customer and supplier partners, we share a singular focus – the timely delivery of this exceptional weapon system to ground forces worldwide».

Javelin is developed and produced by the JJV between Raytheon Technologies in Tucson, Arizona and Lockheed Martin in Orlando, Florida. To date, the JJV has produced more than 50,000 Javelin missiles and more than 12,000 reusable Command Launch Units. Javelin is expected to remain in the U.S. weapon arsenal until 2050.

Ground Forces

TITAN UGV

In June this year, KONGSBERG proved their innovative capabilities by firing a remotely controlled Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin missile from a PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Station on an Unmanned Ground Vehicle. The event took place at Redstone Test Center, Alabama, USA.

KONGSBERG presents ground-breaking RWS capabilities on an Unmanned Ground Vehicle at DSEI 2019

A TITAN Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV), featuring QinetiQ UGV control technology on a Milrem Robotics Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS) mobility platform was used in the demonstration. Javelin and .50 caliber/12.7-mm machine gun were fired, remotely and wireless, from a PROTECTOR Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS). Video from the missile and RWS, as well as control and firing signals was transferred on a secure circuit over radio.

This was also the first combined Javelin and M230LF 30-mm Cannon firing from a single RWS, as the event also featured the Northrup Grumman M230LF (30 mm × 113 mm) cannon. The KONGSBERG LW30 RWS was mounted on an Oshkosh Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV).

This event is nothing short of ground-breaking. The customers have been consistent in their demand for wireless capability and for increased lethality like Anti-Tank Guided Missile Integration. Our ability to integrate our partners’ quality systems into common interfaces was essential to this demonstrations success.

The combination of a wireless and remotely controlled weapon system, integrated on an unmanned vehicle, introduces capabilities that will secure our soldiers mission and safety to an even greater extent, said Pål Bratlie, Executive Vice President Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS.

At DSEI 2019, the Milrem Robotics’ 5th generation THeMIS UGV integrated with a PROTECTOR RWS Javelin, will be displayed at the KONGSBERG stand.

Combing unmanned ground vehicles with modern weapon systems will bring disruptive capabilities to the battlefield. Milrem Robotics has experienced this effect already with several Armies using the THeMIS with an integrated heavy machine gun. Adding such a capable antitank missile as the Javelin will significantly increase the disruptive effect, said Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics.

Ground Forces

Javelin systems

According to Forecast International, Georgia has received all of the Javelin systems it ordered from the U.S., the Defense Minister of that country said.

Georgia receives all Javelin missile systems
Georgia receives all Javelin missile systems

In a speech to Parliament on April 4, 2019, Georgian Defense Minister Levan Izoria stated that Georgia has completed its purchase of the Javelin and the system «has been delivered to Georgia». He had indicated earlier in 2019 that deliveries should be completed this year.

The U.S. State Department approved Georgia for the purchase of 410 Javelin missiles and 72 launch units in November 2017. A press release announcing the approval of the sale noted, «The Javelin system will provide Georgia with increased capacity to meet its national defense requirements». The systems will boost Georgia’s anti-armor capabilities, allowing it to better defend against enemy tanks and armored vehicles.

Though the sale was small – the State Department estimated the contract would be worth a total of $75 million – it demonstrated deepening ties between the U.S. and Georgia, a nation that has sought NATO membership for years.

Georgia moved quickly to begin procurement after the approval of the sale. Deliveries were already being reported by early 2018 and some systems were on display in May of that year, confirming that a contract was in force.

According to the Georgian defense minister, besides the sale of the Javelins, the U.S. has also been providing assistance in repairing and modernizing helicopters. He said that, in 2019, the Georgian Defense Ministry had allocated GEL23 million (about $8.57 million) and the U.S. a similar amount, covering about GEL50 million ($18.62 million) for the Georgian helicopters.