Javelin missile test-launched from vehicle
The Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Javelin Joint Venture has announced that it has demonstrated the capability to launch Javelin missiles from a vehicle in winter conditions at a test range in Norway. The group made the announcement 11 June, 2012.
During the testing, as part of a Norwegian Ministry of Defence-sponsored live fire demonstration in Rena, Norway, two Javelin missiles scored two direct hits when fired from a Piranha V vehicle configured with a Kongsberg Protector Remote Weapon Station (RWS) and the Javelin Vehicle Launcher (JVL) electronics. The two targets were located 800 and 1650 meters from the launch vehicle.
The RWS is a remote controlled weapon station for light and medium calibre weapons, and can be mounted on any type of platform. The JVL allows the standard Javelin missile round to interface with vehicle fire control systems. With the JVL, the US Army and international customers are able to fire Javelin missiles from vehicle platforms with the gunner safely under armour.
The testing demonstrates that Javelin is ‘capable of being deployed on vehicles with remote weapon stations and that the concept is mature and ready for implementation,’ a company spokesperson said.
Javelin is a one-man-portable, anti-tank, guided munition and surveillance weapon system. It has been adopted by international armed forces around the world, and is currently fielded with the US Army and US Marine Corps.
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