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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.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]
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In British military service, the Javelin has been superseded (on paper) by the "Starburst" system.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
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

Specifications



Service Year
1984

Origin
United Kingdom national flag graphic
United Kingdom

Classification


Man-Portable, Surface-to-Air Missile System


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
(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
Cartridge relative size chart
*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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Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns / operations.

Images Gallery



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Image of the Thales Javelin
Image courtesy the United States Department of Defense.

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