The British Army has conducted its first successful live fire using Javelin’s Lightweight Command Launch Unit (LWCLU) at extended range. The 4km shot, a record distance for LWCLU, on Salisbury Plain, demonstrated its enhanced battlefield effectiveness.

Raytheon’s LWCLU is 30% smaller and 25% lighter – while doubling target detection and recognition – compared to the current Command Launch Unit.

The LWCLU maximises surveillance for soldiers, while offering day and night engagement capability. The LWCLU is also adaptable and compatible with all current, past and future Javelin variants.

The UK, as a key Javelin partner, supplies components to support production, which will increase to 3,960 rounds annually by 2026 and 900 LWCLUs by 2030.

Victoria Thornhill, DE&S project manager for Javelin, said:

“The new Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Unit’s extended range doubles lethality while improving capability, allowing our Armed forces to engage targets from further away.

“The UK Armed Forces are pioneers in firing the LWCLU out to the 4K range, making them the first in the Javelin international user group to conduct this activity.

“This is a major achievement for the UK Javelin programme, delivering UK Armed Forces with a lighter, more capable anti-tank weapon that we will change the dynamics of battle.”

Andy Amaro, Javelin Joint Venture (JJV) president and Javelin program director at Raytheon, said:

“Today’s test validates the advanced range and target detection capabilities LWCLU provides soldiers to expand the battlefield and distance them from incoming threats.

“Partnering with the British Army on this extended range LWCLU live-fire allows us to further demonstrate the robust capability of the LWCLU and the Javelin missile.”

Dave Pantano, Javelin Joint Venture vice president and Lockheed Martin Javelin program director, said:

“This live fire exercise showcases a significant first-time event for the JJV and demonstrates that Javelin continues to mature to defeat ever-evolving threats.

“As the JJV continues to expand our international footprint, our partnership with the British Army allows us to collaborate on next-step efforts to support their current and future modernization efforts.”

This collaboration underscores the commitment to strengthening the UK’s defence industry while equipping the British Army with state-of-the-art technology.

British Army Lt Col Chris Woods, MBE, said:

“The successful engagement of a target at 4km is a statement of intent. It represents a tangible demonstration of how seriously the Army is taking the Chief of the General Staff’s direction to double fighting power by 2027.”

He added: “This is a world first, conducted by British Army Soldiers right here on Salisbury Plain. I am really proud of the team from DE&S, the JJV and the Parachute Regiment.”

The JJV contributes £56 million per year to the UK economy at current production rates, which will grow as production rates increase.