US Army awards $309 million contracts for Javelin anti-tank weapon systems

News, US May 21, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

U.S. Army awarded the Javelin Joint Venture two $309 million worth of production contracts for Javelin missiles and associated equipment as well as services.

The contracts include more than 1300 Javelin missiles funded from the recent Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act and orders for several international customers including Norway, Albania, Latvia, and Thailand, U.S. defense firm Lockheed Martin announced.

The anti-tank man-portable weapon systems are developed and produced by the Javelin Joint Venture between the two defense giants Raytheon Missiles & Defense and Lockheed Martin. The versatile multi-target guided missile system offers fire-and-forget capability over its full range – up to 4 kilometers in most operational conditions.

Javelin Joint Venture president, and program director at Raytheon Missiles & Defense, Marek Wollert said “We remain committed to delivering this exceptional weapon system to warfighters around the globe. Raytheon is working proactively with our supply chain to ensure our readiness and ability to support this urgent need.”

Javelin Joint Venture vice president, and Lockheed Martin Javelin program director, Dave Pantano said “The Javelin Joint Venture is working hard to meet this increase in demand.”

Pantano added that “Javelin’s unique capabilities have proven to be a difference-maker in our users’ defining moments, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with the Army to deliver this critical weapon system.”

According to the statement released by Lockheed Martin, the company is investing to increase the missile production rate beyond the current 2,100 per year. Similarly, Raytheon Missiles & Defense is “investing to maximize the production of the reusable lightweight command launch unit.”

^{The Javelin Joint Venture completed the first production Javelin F-Model (FGM-148F) missile in May 2020, which adds an advanced, multipurpose warhead. (Image Credit: Lockheed Martin)}

“To date, the Javelin Joint Venture 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 and is subject to continual upgrades to retain overmatch against emerging threats and to support evolving operational needs,” the statement added.

In May 2020, the Javelin Joint Venture team successfully completed the first production Javelin F-Model (FGM-148F) missile. According to Lockheed Martin, “The F-Model has an advanced, multipurpose warhead that can defeat current and future armor, including explosive reactive armor. The F-Model also adds a fragmenting steel case to take out soft targets and light armored vehicles.”

U.S. President Joe Biden in March announced $800 million in military aid for Ukraine, which included 2,000 Javelin, 1,000 light anti-armor weapons, 6,000 AT-4 anti-armor systems, as well as Stinger anti-aircraft systems. In addition, the United States previously sent approximately 2,600 Javelin anti-armor weapon systems to Ukraine.