Javelin missile demos vehicle mounted capability

ORLANDO, Fla., July 29 (UPI) -- The man-portable Javelin anti-tank missile has successfully been fired from a remote weapons station on a vehicle to demonstrate its vehicle launch capability.

The test by Javelin Joint Venture, a Lockheed Martin and Raytheon company, was conducted at the Redstone Arsenal in Alabama for an unidentified customer interested in procuring wheeled vehicles integrated with the fire-and-forget system.

"This demonstration highlights the ability to mount Javelin on a vehicle," said Richard Benton, Javelin Joint Venture vice president and Javelin senior manager at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "The international customer already uses the combat-proven Javelin for dismounted troops, but this test demonstrated the Javelin's versatility and how easily it can be integrated with the vehicle to enhance mission capability."

Added Michelle Lohmeier, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Land Warfare Systems product line: "This effort demonstrates the Javelin Joint Venture's commitment to expand Javelin's capability beyond the current man-portable role. "We are working closely with end-user customers and industry partners to provide the warfighter with an effective system for improving vehicle lethality and enhancing survivability."

Javelin is a lightweight missile that can be operated by a single dismounted soldier. It is in use by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps and other militaries worldwide.

In the demonstration the missile launched successfully destroyed a T-62 tank target from a range of 1,000 yards. Immediately following missile launch, the remote weapon station engaged an alternate target with its ballistic weapon, demonstrating that integration of the Javelin onto the vehicle did not interfere with the vehicle's ability to rapidly transition between multiple weapon systems.