In 1996, the FGM-148 Javelin was created, and the advanced anti-tank missile weapon system is still sought after almost three decades later. The Javelin is mostly a tank killer, however, they have multiple firing modes and can be used against a wide array of targets.
The Javelin was originally designed by Texas Instruments — known for their calculators — and Martin Marietta, now Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.
The anti-tank system made its combat debut in 2003 during the second Gulf War. It gained a renewed level of notoriety recently due to the war in Ukraine because of its “top attack,” which hits tanks from above, where they are most vulnerable.
One thing that makes the Javelin so effective is the fact that it is a “fire-and-forget” missile. This means the operator can sight the target, lock on and send it. An automatic self-guidance system does the rest.
“Javelins are actually really effective especially in the battlefield, especially in our profession,” said Spc. Matthew Cantero, 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team. “Whether it be a light unit, or mechanized, we’re gonna come up against enemies that have heavy equipment, and that javelin is gonna turn the fight.”
The Javelin has an infrared seeker and two shaped charges. The first charge detonates any reactive armor and the second pierces the base layer of armor.
The lethality of the missile system made them useful to Ukrainian Armed Forces seeing high levels of Russian tanks and armored vehicles in the early days of the war. Out of the first 300 Javelins fired by Ukrainian troops, 280 tanks were knocked out of commission.
About two dozen countries currently use Javelins and another seven hope to add them to their inventory soon.
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