British Army fires Javelin live fire for the first time at record distance
The Javelin LWCLU lightweight launcher was successfully tested for the first time at the Salisbury test site in the UK at a record distance of 4 km.
Here's What We Know
The Javelin system, developed by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, is a man-portable weapon with a "fire and forget" principle. It has been widely used in conflicts, including in Iraq and Afghanistan, and was also actively used by Ukraine at the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. It features an attack from above on armoured vehicles and infrared homing, which allows soldiers to fire and immediately hide.
The latest Lightweight Command Launcher (LWCLU) is an improved version of the old Block I model. It is 30 per cent smaller and 25 per cent lighter, making it much more convenient for infantry to use during long combat operations.
In addition to the weight reduction, the LWCLU has improved optical capabilities, including a doubled target detection and recognition range, which ensures high performance in difficult conditions. The system operates day and night, has thermal and daytime sights, and is compatible with all versions of Javelin missiles.
Testing the new version of the Javelin. Illustration: Raytheon
The British Army's Parachute Regiment managed to hit a target at a distance of 4 km. This surpassed previous combat performance and underlined the effectiveness of the LWCLU in combating armoured threats at long range.
The UK is a key industrial partner in the Javelin programme. It supplies important components to the missile system, and by 2026, it is expected to produce almost 4,000 missiles per year. It is projected that 900 new LWCLUs will be produced annually by 2030, generating around £56 million for the UK economy each year.
Source: Army Recognition
