Javelin missile clears UK ground vehicle tests
During UK ground vehicle launch tests, the Javelin Joint Venture team successfully demonstrated the Javelin missile’s ability to engage targets beyond its current 2.5km range, Raytheon announced on 15 June.
The Javelin Joint Venture is a partnership between Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. The live-fire tests confirmed the reliability rate of the Javelin and demonstrated its capability to engage targets from greater standoff distances on different platforms.
The five tests were conducted for the British Army at the Salisbury Plain Training Area in Wiltshire, England. During the tests, the missiles were mounted on a Spartan armoured fighting vehicle and fired through the Kongsberg M151 Remote Weapon Station. Each missile flew between 1.2km and 4.3km.
John Halvey, president of the Javelin Joint Venture, Raytheon Missile Systems, said: ‘Javelin’s effectiveness in this demonstration enables mounted infantry to confidently engage targets at ranges that surpass other weapons in this class. This range, coupled with vehicle integration, enhances overmatch for mounted infantry units.’
Rich Benton, vice president, Javelin Joint Venture and Javelin programme director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said: ‘These successful ground tests validate Javelin’s long-range engagement capability. These tests also reinforce Javelin’s maturity and readiness for deployment from vehicles and other platforms.’
More from Land Warfare
-
![Laser weapon solutions are emerging as Europe confronts air defence cost imbalance]()
Laser weapon solutions are emerging as Europe confronts air defence cost imbalance
Europe’s air defence debate is increasingly shaped by the blunt economics of the field. While high-value interceptor missiles can effectively shoot down cheap drones, doing so at scale presents cost challenges.
-
![ARX Robotics expands in UK following British Army backing for uncrewed platforms]()
ARX Robotics expands in UK following British Army backing for uncrewed platforms
Following an order from the British Army, ARX Robotics has begun manufacturing autonomous ground platforms in the UK. Christopher Foss examines the company's growing range of systems.
-
![Textron unveils a smaller, low-cost variant of the Ripsaw family of UGVs]()
Textron unveils a smaller, low-cost variant of the Ripsaw family of UGVs
Ripsaw M1 has been designed to support the US Marine Corps’ littoral missions by carrying diverse types of payloads and performing multiple missions. Shephard spoke with Textron to find out more.
-
![UK plans to adopt “phased approach to restarting” British Army Ajax programme]()
UK plans to adopt “phased approach to restarting” British Army Ajax programme
The introduction of Ajax vehicles into British Army service was stopped after health issues during an exercise. However, an investigation reported “no single causal mechanism of the symptoms reported by our soldiers but rather a combination of multiple factors”.
