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Thales Javelin


Man-Portable, Surface-to-Air Missile System


United Kingdom | 1984



"The Thales Javelin attempted to rectify the shortcomings of the earlier Blowpipe anti-aircraft weapon system."

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Thales Javelin. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.
14,700 ft
4,480.6 m | 4,900.0 yds
Max.Eff.Range
1,900 ft/sec
579 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity
Physical
The physical qualities of the Thales Javelin. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.
1,390 mm
54.72 in
O/A Length
1,390 mm
54.72 in
Barrel Length
53.57 lb
24.30 kg
Weight
SACLOS; Reusable Launcher
Action
76mm
Caliber(s)
Single-Shot; Reusable Launcher
Feed
Integrated Optics Set (6x magnification / TV camera).
Sights
Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Thales Javelin Man-Portable, Surface-to-Air Missile System family line.
Javelin - Base Series Designation
Javelin LML - "Lightweight Multiple Launcher"; three-missile arrangement; vehicle-mounting possible.
Javelin GL
Javelin S-15 - "Starburst" development of 1993
Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 05/03/2019 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Since the advent of aircraft, warplanners have sought effective means of downing these threats through both air-based and ground-based means. Early-generation solutions centered on airborne interceptors and ground-based fire and these were eventually succeeded by missiles due largely to developments of the Cold War period (1947-1991). The "Javelin" was developed by the British concern of Thales Air Defence along these lines - existing as a short-ranged man-portable unit or dedicated airspace denial weapon system. Succeeding the "Blowpipe" weapon system, it was eventually taken into service by the forces of Botswana, Canada, Malaysia, Peru, South Korea, and the British Army and Marine services. It is known to have seen action in the Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989), the Falklands War (1982) (achieving rather poor results), and the Persian Gulf War (1991).

Requiring a minimum crew of just one operator, the Javelin weighs in at 54lb for the system component and an additional 24lb for the missile - totaling nearly 80lb when made ready-to-fire. It has an overall length measuring 4.6 feet and the launch tube has a diameter of 76mm. The man-portable version of the Javelin can carry and fire just one missile while three missiles are used in the heavier, static configuration ("Javelin LML") for repeat-fire as well as enhanced downing capabilities against low-flying aircraft. The LML model can also be fitted to vehicles for mobility.

The missile carries a High-Explosive (HE) warhead weighing 6lb and detonation can occur through either impact force / direct contact or proximity fuze means. Propulsion is by way of a solid-fuel rocket motor, allowing the missile to reach speeds of Mach 1.7 when chasing down targets. Guidance is by way of a Semi-Automatic Command Line-of-Sight (SACLOS) arrangement via radio frequency - the operator sights the weapon through a T.V. camera / magnification (6x) optics set. Accuracy is dampened somewhat when attempting to target enemies behind smoke.

In British military service, the Javelin has been superseded (on paper) by the "Starburst" system. This, in turn, has been taken over by the "Starstreak" system.

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Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Thales Javelin. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Thales Air Defence - UK
National flag of Afghanistan National flag of Argentina National flag of Canada National flag of Malaysia National flag of Peru National flag of South Korea National flag of the United Kingdom

[ Afghanistan; Argentina; Botswana; Canada; Malaysia; Peru; South Korea; United Kingdom ]
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Image of the Thales Javelin
Image courtesy the United States Department of Defense.

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