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L3Harris Technologies has secured a contract worth up to US$292 million (AU$449 million) to continue producing propulsion systems for the Javelin anti-tank missile, marking the largest propulsion production award in the program’s history.
This multi-year contract will continue producing propulsion systems for the Javelin anti-tank missile in what is the largest propulsion production award in the program’s history.
The Javelin, developed under a joint venture between US defence giants Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, is a shoulder-fired, “fire-and-forget” guided missile system designed to destroy armoured vehicles, fortifications and low-flying aircraft.
It has gained global prominence in recent years after extensive use by Ukrainian forces against Russian armour, reinforcing its reputation as one of the world’s most effective man-portable anti-tank systems.
Ken Bedingfield, president of Aerojet Rocketdyne at L3Harris, said the new award would help the company expand its role in supplying a critical capability to the United States, its allies and partners, saying, “Javelin provides a key capability for the United States, allies and partners.”
L3Harris is the sole manufacturer of the Javelin’s solid rocket motors, which power the weapon from launch. The company has been investing heavily in its rocket motor production facilities across the United States, including through a US$215.6 million (AU$332 million) cooperative agreement with the US Department of Defense aimed at boosting industrial capacity.
“Our ongoing investments in modernised solid rocket motor manufacturing will allow us to increase production capacity for Javelin by incorporating the latest advancements in automation into the motor casting and installation processes,” Bedingfield added.
The firm is also introducing a fully digital workflow for Javelin production, allowing real-time monitoring of manufacturing processes. This is expected to deliver better quality assurance, improved oversight of production speed and greater efficiency.
The Javelin joint venture continues to supply the missile to the US Army and Marine Corps, as well as international customers.
