Javelin Missile: How the Fire-and-Forget Anti-Tank Weapon Works
Javelin missile explained: how the FGM-148’s infrared seeker, top-attack mode and soft launch work, plus range, users and production.
Short answer: The FGM-148 Javelin missile is an American shoulder-fired, “fire-and-forget” anti-tank weapon. After the gunner locks onto a target, the missile guides itself with an infrared seeker, so the crew can take cover or move as soon as it launches. In its top-attack mode it climbs and then dives onto a tank’s roof, where armor is thinnest. The Javelin entered service in 1996, replacing the M47 Dragon, and is used by the United States, Ukraine and many other countries.
Last updated: October 28, 2026
- Type: man-portable anti-tank guided missile (ATGM)
- In service since: 1996, replacing the M47 Dragon
- Crew: two (gunner and ammunition bearer)
- Range: 2,500 m with the original sight; 4,000 m with the lightweight sight; 4,750 m from a vehicle
- Guidance: imaging infrared, fire-and-forget
- Builders: Javelin Joint Venture of Lockheed Martin and Raytheon
How the Javelin works
The Javelin has two main parts: a reusable sight called the Command Launch Unit and a disposable Launch Tube Assembly that holds the missile. According to the U.S. Army’s Worldwide Equipment Guide entry, the gunner locks onto a target before launch, and the missile then uses “automatic infrared guidance that allows the user to seek cover immediately after launch.”
That was a major change from the wire-guided Dragon it replaced. With a wire-guided missile, the gunner must keep the sight on the target throughout the flight, staying exposed to return fire.
The Javelin also uses a “soft launch.” The guide says the missile is ejected from the tube so it reaches a safe distance before its main rocket motor ignites. That makes the launcher harder to spot, though back-blast from the tube is still a hazard to nearby troops.
Top-attack vs direct-attack modes
The Javelin can fly two different paths:
- Top attack. Against armored vehicles, the missile climbs to a peak of about 150 meters (500 feet) and then dives onto the target’s roof. The guide notes that top armor “is generally thinner.”
- Direct attack. Against buildings, targets too close for top attack and targets under cover, it flies a flatter path, peaking at about 60 meters (190 feet). This mode can also be used against helicopters.
The warhead is a tandem design with two shaped charges. A small precursor charge sets off any explosive reactive armor, and the main charge then penetrates the vehicle’s base armor.
Specs at a glance
Figures come from the Army’s Worldwide Equipment Guide unless noted.
| Feature | FGM-148 Javelin |
|---|---|
| Type | Man-portable anti-tank guided missile |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Introduced | 1996 |
| Crew | 2 (gunner and ammunition bearer) |
| Guidance | Imaging infrared seeker, fire-and-forget |
| Warhead | Tandem shaped charge (HEAT) |
| Engine | Solid-fuel rocket |
| Effective range | 2,500 m (original sight); 4,000 m (lightweight sight); 4,750 m (from a vehicle) |
| Peak altitude | 150 m in top-attack mode; 60 m in direct-attack mode |
| Replaced | M47 Dragon |
| FY2027 request | $0.49 billion for 1,509 missiles (CRS) |
Who makes the Javelin and what it costs
Lockheed Martin says the Javelin is produced by the Javelin Joint Venture, a partnership between Lockheed Martin in Orlando, Florida, and Raytheon in Tucson, Arizona. The company says the system has been in full-rate production since 1994 and that the joint venture delivered its 50,000th missile in 2021.
The Congressional Research Service’s review of the fiscal 2027 defense budget lists a request of $0.49 billion for 1,509 Javelin missiles. That works out to about $325,000 per missile on average across the budget line, which can include more than the missile itself.
Combat record and global users
The Worldwide Equipment Guide says that “as of January 2019, over 5,000 Javelin missiles have been fired in combat.” Its list of users includes Australia, Estonia, France, Lithuania, Norway, the United Kingdom, Ukraine and the United States, among others.
The Javelin drew worldwide attention after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when Ukrainian infantry used it against Russian armored columns. The war also showed the limits of any single weapon. Our report on the M1E3 Abrams looks at how tank designers are responding to drones and top-attack missiles, and our guide to Leopard 2 vs Abrams compares today’s main battle tanks.
Peter’s World’s view
The Javelin’s lasting advantage is not raw range but how it protects its crew: lock on, fire, and move. The official figures show a mature system that is still bought in large numbers more than 30 years after full-rate production began. The open question for armies is how to keep a costly missile relevant on battlefields where cheap drones can also hit vehicles from above.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Javelin missile?
The FGM-148 Javelin is an American man-portable, fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile that entered service in 1996.
How far can a Javelin missile fire?
The Army lists an effective range of 2,500 meters with the original sight, 4,000 meters with the lightweight sight and 4,750 meters when fired from a vehicle.
How does the Javelin attack tanks?
In top-attack mode it climbs and dives onto the tank’s roof, where armor is usually thinnest. Its tandem warhead first triggers reactive armor and then penetrates the main armor.
How much does a Javelin missile cost?
The fiscal 2027 request lists $0.49 billion for 1,509 missiles, or about $325,000 each on average across the budget line.
Who makes the Javelin?
The Javelin Joint Venture of Lockheed Martin and Raytheon produces the missile.
How many people does it take to fire a Javelin?
The system is usually operated by a two-person team of a gunner and an ammunition bearer.
This article was written by Peter with AI assistance and checked against the sources linked. See our AI use disclosure.
Sources
- U.S. Army Worldwide Equipment Guide: FGM-148 Javelin
- Lockheed Martin: Javelin
- Congressional Research Service: FY2027 Defense Budget: Funding for Selected Weapon Systems (R49023)
