Javelin surface-to-air missile

Infobox Weapon
name= Javelin


caption= British soldier posing with Javelin triple launcher
origin= flagicon|United Kingdom UK
type=Manportable surface-to-air missile
is_ranged=
is_explosive=yes
is_missile=yes
is_UK=
service=
used_by= UK, Canada
wars= Falklands War, Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
designer=
design_date=
manufacturer= Thales Air Defence
unit_cost=
production_date=
number=
variants=
spec_label=
weight= 0.076 m (Missile)
24.3 kg (System)
length= 1.39 m
part_length=
width=
height=
diameter= 0.076 m
crew= 1
cartridge=
caliber=
barrels=
action=
rate=
velocity=
range= 300 to 4,500 m against jets to 5,500 m against helicopters
max_range= 4.5 km
feed=
sights= Optical sight
filling= High Explosive warhead
filling_weight= 2.74 kg (containing 0.6 kg of HE) with contact and proximity fuzes
detonation= Impact force or Fuse Proximity
yield=
armour=
primary_armament=
secondary_armament=
engine= Solid Fuel Rocket
engine_power=
transmission=
payload_capacity=
fuel_capacity=
pw_ratio=
suspension=
clearance=
vehicle_range=
speed= Mach 1+ approx.
guidance= SACLOS system

Javelin is a British man-portable surface-to-air missile, formerly used by the British Army and Canadian Army. It can be fired from the shoulder, or from a dedicated launcher known as Javelin LML—Lightweight Multiple Launcher. Capable of being vehicle mounted, the LML carries three rounds.

It was replaced in front line British service by the Starburst surface-to-air missile in 1993, and later by the Starstreak starting around 1997. The Canadian Forces have retired it without replacement.

Description

The missile was developed as a replacement for the Blowpipe missile, which had proven largely ineffective in the Falklands war (nine hits recorded out of more than 100 missile launches) and in mujahideen hands during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Operational Use

Similar in overall appearance to the Blowpipe, Javelin is slightly more compact and is fitted with a more advanced seeker head and improved warhead. The operator is equipped with a 6x magnification sight and a long range TV camera to locate targets. Although the Javelin's accuracy is somewhat susceptible to smoke, fog or clouds, it is claimed to be virtually impossible to decoy it away from a target with flares.

Operators

; BOT; CAN; UK

References

* "Jane's Land-Based Air Defence 2005-2006", ISBN 0-7106-2697-5
*