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FGM-148 Javelin
The FGM-148 Javelin is a crew-served, man-portable IR-guided fire-and-forget anti-tank missile in service with the United States military. It originated in the 1983 AAWS-M (Advanced Anti-Tank Weapon System - Medium) requirement for a missile to replace the M47 Dragon, which was totally not an excuse to have a weapon program called "awesome." The first proof-of-principle weapons were produced in 1986, with three candidates: Ford Aerospace produced a SACLOS missile using laser beam-riding, Hughes Aircraft Missile System Group a wire-guided weapon using imaging infra-red combined with a fiber-optic cable link, and Texas Instruments a wireless fire-and-forget missile using imaging infra-red. The latter weapon is what would ultimately become the Javelin, being produced by Texas Instruments and Martin Marietta, now respectively parts of Raytheon and Lockheed-Martin. The system entered production in 1996.
Like Dragon, Javelin is a two-part system consisting of individual missiles in disposable casings and a detachable sighting unit (the Command Launch Unit or CLU) which is re-used, being mated to the encased missile prior to launching. Javelin's CLU includes all controls for the missile, a optic / IR sighting unit with a built-in electronic cooling unit, and the fire control computer. The missile is locked on to the IR signature of the target by aiming the CLU, with guidance fully automated after launching: the stated effective range is 2,500m, but Javelin has scored hits at up to 4,750m during testing. The CLU can also be used as a portable surveillance system when dismounted.
Javelin's usual missile is an advanced tandem-charge HEAT warhead designed to defeat modern reactive armor, which can be set to top-attack mode for targeting vehicles or direct-fire for engaging other targets such as helicopters. Both trajectories begin with a steep climb, with only the end stage differing. Since Javelin saw extensive use against unarmored targets in Iraq and Afghanistan, a second missile type, the multi-purpose warhead (MPWH) has been developed, which retains the HEAT functionality but also has a steel fragmentation sleeve to increase lethality against infantry.
A new lightweight CLU was introduced in 2013: it is 70% smaller, 40% lighter, and has a 50% improvement in battery life, along with numerous upgrades to electronics such as a high-definition display, long-wave IR sensor, a Far Target Location (FTL) system, and an integrated laser rangefinder / target designator and 5 megapixel camera.
The FGM-148 Javelin missile launcher appears in the following films and video games used by the following actors:
Specifications
(1996 - Present)
- Type: Anti-Tank Missile
- Missile Weight: : 26 lb (11.8 kg)
- CLU Weight: 14.1 lb (6.4 kg)
- Missile Length: 43 in (110 cm)
- Launch Tube Length: 47 in (120 cm)
Film
| Title | Actor | Character | Note | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| War of the Worlds | US Army soldiers | 2005 | ||
| Cloverfield | US Army soldiers | 2008 | ||
| Red Eye | Terrorist Assassins | 2005 | ||
| White House Down | Mercenaries | 2013 | ||
| Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice | Callan Mulvey | Anatoli Knyazev | 2016 | |
| Whiskey Tango Foxtrot | U.S. Marines | 2016 |
Television
| Show Title | Actor | Character | Note / Episode | Air Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Future Weapons | 2006-2008 | |||
| Ultimate Weapons | 2009 |
Anime
| Title | Character | Note | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig | Ishikawa | With futuristic enhancements | 2004 - 2005 |
| Jormungand | Voshkod 6 member | 2012 - ???? |
Video Games
| Game Title | Appears as | Mods | Notation | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ArmA: Armed Assault | 2007 | |||
| ArmA II | 2009 | |||
| Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising | 2009 | |||
| Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare | Campaign only | 2007 | ||
| Modern Warfare 2 | 2009 | |||
| Modern Warfare 3 | 2011 | |||
| Blacksite: Area 51 | 2008 | |||
| Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots | Erroneously shown as laser-guided | 2008 | ||
| America's Army | 2002 | |||
| Battlefield 3 | 2011 | |||
| Homefront | AAWS-M launcher | Shown firing directly | 2011 | |
| Battlefield 4 | Incorrectly required to maintain lock-on, unless target is painted | 2013 |
See Also
- Lockheed Martin - A list of all weapons manufactured by Lockheed Martin.