| Javelin | |
|---|---|
 British soldier posing with Javelin triple launcher(1996) | |
| Type | Manportable surface-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See Operators |
| Wars | Soviet war in Afghanistan |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Thales Air Defence |
| Specifications | |
| Mass |
11.1 kilograms (24 lb) (Missile) 24.3 kilograms (54 lb) (System) |
| Length | 1.39 metres (4 ft 7 in) |
| Diameter | 76 millimetres (3 in) |
| Crew | 1 |
|
| |
| Effective firing range | 300 to 4,500 metres (980 to 14,760 ft) against jets to 5,500 metres (18,000 ft) against helicopters |
| Warhead | High Explosive warhead |
| Warhead weight | 2.74 kilograms (6.0 lb) (containing 0.6 kilograms (1.3 lb) of HE) with contact and proximity fuzes |
Detonation mechanism | Impact force or Proximity Fuze |
|
| |
| Engine | Solid Fuel Rocket |
| Maximum speed | Mach 1.7+ approx. |
Guidance system | 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 Javelin S-15, sold commercially as the Starburst surface-to-air missile in 1993 (radio frequency guided Javelin was retained for some time thereafter for training purposes), and later by the Starstreak starting around 1997. The Canadian Forces have retired it without replacement.
History[]
The missile was developed as a replacement for the Blowpipe missile, which had proven largely ineffective in the Falklands War, with only two hits recorded out of more than 100 launches: a British Harrier GR3 (XZ972) attacked by Argentine Army special forces (Commandos Company), and an Argentine Aermacchi MB-339 (0766 (4-A-114)) during the Battle of Goose Green.[1]
Operational use[]
Similar in overall appearance to the Manual Command Line of Sight (MCLOS), radio frequency guided Blowpipe, Javelin is slightly more compact, uses Semiautomatic Command Line of Sight (SACLOS) radio frequency guidance and is fitted with Semi and improved warhead. The operator is equipped with a 6x magnification sight and a long range T.V. 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. It has been alleged[by whom?] that some were supplied to the Mujahideen by the United States during the Soviet war in Afghanistan.
Operators[]
Botswana
Canada, used by the Canadian Army (no longer in service)- , used by the British Army and British Royal Marines
Peru- South Korea
- Malaysia, used by the Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, and Royal Malaysian Air Force
- Mujahideen
References[]
- ↑ FREEDMAN, Sir Lawrence, The Official History of the Falklands Campaign (Abingdon, 2005). Volume II, page 732-735
- Jane's Land-Based Air Defence 2005-2006, ISBN 0-7106-2697-5
- "Javelin". http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/javelin.htm.
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The original article can be found at Javelin (surface-to-air missile) and the edit history here.