Raytheon, Lockheed Martin deliver first lightweight Javelin command launch units to US Army

The Lightweight Command Launch Unit (LWCLU) has been designed as a modular and future-proofed launcher capable of operating with all current, legacy and future variants of the Javelin missile family, ensuring the system remains relevant as modern battlefields evolve and anti-armour threats become increasingly sophisticated.

According to the Javelin Joint Venture, the new launcher doubles target detection and recognition range compared with the existing CLU, while reducing overall size by 30 per cent and weight by 25 per cent. The enhanced optics and thermal imaging systems also provide improved day and night surveillance and engagement capability, significantly boosting situational awareness for infantry forces operating in contested environments.

JJV president and Raytheon Javelin program director Jenna Hunt Frazier said the delivery represented another step forward in ensuring soldiers maintain access to advanced battlefield technologies.

“Delivering the first LWCLUs to the US Army reflects the Javelin Joint Venture’s commitment to continuously advancing technology for service members,” Frazier said.

Frazier added: “Our investments in modernisation and production capacity ensures soldiers receive this cutting-edge capability faster.”

To support growing global demand for the Javelin system, Raytheon has invested approximately US$22 million into modernising its production facilities in Tucson, Arizona, where the launcher is manufactured. The upgrades are intended to accelerate production rates and expand manufacturing capacity in cooperation with the US Army.

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Lockheed Martin Javelin program director and JJV vice president Rich Liccion said the new launcher represented a significant leap forward in capability for deployed forces.

“The production and delivery of the LWCLU marks a pivotal step in modernising the Javelin system for today’s warfighter. Its innovative design enhances mobility and survivability while preserving the precision firepower that users rely on,” Liccion said.

Originally developed during the Cold War to defeat heavily armoured Soviet tanks, the Javelin system has evolved into one of the world’s most widely used and combat-proven anti-armour weapons. The man-portable missile employs an advanced infrared seeker and “fire-and-forget” guidance system, enabling operators to engage targets and immediately reposition without needing to continue guiding the missile after launch.

One of the defining features of the Javelin is its top-attack flight profile, which allows the missile to strike armoured vehicles from above, typically the weakest point of a tank’s armour protection. The missile can also be employed in direct-attack mode against bunkers, fortified positions and low-flying helicopters.

The system has gained renewed prominence in recent years following its extensive use in the war in Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces used Javelins to devastating effect against Russian armoured formations during the early phases of the conflict. Its battlefield performance reinforced the system’s reputation for high kill probability, mobility and ease of use in dispersed infantry operations.

The Javelin has been widely adopted by allied nations across NATO and the Indo-Pacific, becoming a cornerstone of modern infantry anti-armour capability. Australia announced plans in 2024 to domestically manufacture guided weapons, including the Javelin missile, under the government’s broader Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance enterprise initiative.

The Javelin system is jointly produced by Raytheon in Tucson, Arizona, and Lockheed Martin in Orlando, Florida, with the program continuing to expand production in response to increasing international demand and efforts by Western nations to replenish stockpiles depleted by support to Ukraine.

Stephen Kuper

Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.