US Army awards $1.3 billion Javelin contract to Raytheon and Lockheed Martin JV
Javelin weapon systems are currently manufactured by a JV operated by Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. (Image: Lockheed Martin)
A joint venture (JV) between Raytheon and Lockheed Martin has been awarded a US$1.3 billion follow-on fiscal year 2024 production contract by the US Army for Javelin missiles and associated equipment.
The contract, the largest single-year Javelin production contract to date, follows an initial indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract awarded in May 2023.
To date, the JV has produced more than 50,000 Javelin missiles and 12,000 reusable Command Launch Units from Lockheed Martin’s facilities in Orlando, Florida, and Raytheon’s facilities in Tucson, Arizona.
This contract will provide procurement of Javelin weapon systems and production support for the US Army.
Andy Amaro, president of the JV and Javelin programme director at Raytheon, said: “Javelin is recognised as the most effective, combat-proven anti-armour weapon system in the world. Through this contract, we will continue to produce and deliver this needed capability to support global ground forces in their efforts to protect and defend their interests and sovereignty.”
Dave Pantano, vice-president of the JV and Lockheed Martin Javelin programme director, added: “With the increased demand for Javelin worldwide, our ability to ramp production to support our Army customer and global users is more important now than ever.”
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the first Javelins were deployed in 1996 and have been regularly upgraded since. Javelin was the first anti-tank and multi-target-capable weapon system to employ fire-and-forget imaging IR seeker technology.
The FGM-148F, the latest production model of the Javelin, entered production in 2020 and features a multipurpose warhead that can penetrate armoured targets equipped with ERA. The follow-on FGM-148G variant has been under development.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
Orders roll in for VAMTAC tactical vehicles as first is delivered to New Zealand
The VAMTAC (Vehículo de Alta Movilidad Táctico or High Mobility Tactical Vehicle) 4×4 by Urovesa is in service with or has been ordered by eight countries, the most recent being Spain this month and Romania last month.
-
Precision Strike Missile engine successfully tested from M270A2 launcher
Lockheed Martin’s Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) is a next-generation surface-to-surface missile with the solid rocket motor (SRM) provided by Northrop Grumman. The company is working to boost its SRM production capability.
-
CV90 user group signs agreement to improve procurement and commonality
The CV90 is in service with or ordered by ten countries. The agreement between six of these countries is designed to create commonality to provide economies of scale and a reduced training burden.