Thales Javelin

Man-Portable, Surface-to-Air Missile System [ 1984 ]

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

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 05/03/2019 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Image courtesy the United States Department of Defense.

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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In British military service, the Javelin has been superseded (on paper) by the "Starburst" system.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.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Service Year

1984

Origin

United Kingdom

Classification

Man-Portable, Surface-to-Air Missile System

Thales Air Defence - UK

(View other Arms-Related Manufacturers)

Afghanistan; Argentina; Botswana; Canada; Malaysia; Peru; South Korea; United Kingdom

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Anti-Aircraft
Ability to engage low-flying aerial threats.

Overall Length

1,390 mm
54.72 in

Barrel Length

1,390 mm
54.72 in

Empty Wgt

53.57 lb
24.30 kg

Sights

Integrated Optics Set (6x magnification / TV camera).

Action

SACLOS; Reusable Launcher

(Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information)

Caliber(s)*

76mm

Rounds / Feed

Single-Shot; Reusable Launcher

*May not represent an exhuastive list; calibers are model-specific dependent, always consult official manufacturer sources.
**Graphics not to actual size; not all cartridges may be represented visually; graphics intended for general reference only.

Max Eff.Range

14,700 ft
(4,481 m | 4,900 yd)

Muzzle Velocity

1,900 ft/sec
(579 m/sec)

Javelin - Base Series Designation

Javelin LML - "Lightweight Multiple Launcher"; three-missile arrangement; vehicle-mounting possible.

Javelin GL

Javelin S-15 - "Starburst" development of 1993

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