As is the case with the FIM-92 Stinger MANPADS missile, the United States is now starting to run out of stock of the FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile, given that thousands of launchers and missiles manufactured by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin have been shipped as part of an arms grant to Ukraine.
However, unlike the Stinger case, the manufacturer stated that it would increase the production of the Javelin following the increasing demand in the portable anti-tank man missile segment.
Quoted from reuters.com (8/5/2022), Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) plans to double production of Javelin missiles. This was revealed by James Taiclet, Chief Executive Officer of Lockheed Martin in an interview on Sunday. “The goal is to increase production to 4,000 per year, from the current 2,100 per year. The increase in production will take several years, Taiclet said.
US President Joe Biden last week visited the Lockheed Martin facility in Alabama that produces the Javelin, where Biden is seeking to pressure Congress to approve a proposed $33 billion aid package to help support Ukraine's arms.
Currently, the US has poured a $3.4 billion package of weapons into Ukraine since Russia invaded on February 24, it includes Javelin missiles as well as howitzers, Stinger missiles, ammunition and body armor.
“We can start increasing preparations at this time and immediately increase production,” said Taiclet, noting that his company had anticipated an increase in demand for the Javelin system in large quantities. “We are planning everything for the long term and not just on the Ukraine case,” he said, noting that he expected to see an increase in demand beyond the Ukraine war, i.e. because of threats from Russia and China.
The FGM-148 Javelin is operated by two people, this missile has a maximum firing range of 4,500 meters and an effective firing range of 2,000 meters. What makes the Javelin so special? The secret lies in the 'smartness' of the target locking system which is able to send commands to the seeker who locks the target.
After the missile launches, the seeker section on the front of the missile takes over the missile's entire kinematics and directs it to the target, independent of the shooter unless there is an interruption from the shooter.
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