FGM-148 Javelin Missile Great Weapon – Sometimes

The FGM-148 Javelin missile is a proven tank killer. In 1996 the first Javelins were deployed with US Army units and soon were proven in combat situations. The Javelin missiles , after the 2003 shock and awe bombing of Baghdad, in the follow up land invasion of Iraq, were proven to be highly effective against Iraqi tanks.

Javelin Missile Not Very Accurate Over Uneven Terrain

Javelin is a fire-and-forget missile with lock-on before launch and automatic self-guidance. That means that the launch team, usually two soldiers although it is possible for one man to launch the Javelin missile, has no control of the missile’s flight path once the missile is launched.

The system takes a top-attack flight profile against armored vehicles and attacks the top tank armor which is generally thinner and easier to penetrate but can also take a direct-attack mode for use against buildings or fortifications. In the direct attack mode the Javelin missile also has the ability to engage helicopters.

In Afghanistan, as the Taliban have no tanks or helicopters, the US military generally uses the missile to attack buildings or fortifications and to bring firefights to an abrupt end without overly exposing US forces to ground or indirect fire. The use of the Javelin against Taliban fighters is not cheap as each Javelin firing system costs about $125,000 and the missiles themselves cost about $40,000.

Unfortunately, firing the Javelin over rough and uneven terrain has a detrimental effect upon the missile’s accuracy. This brings the estimated cost for each Javelin that actually hits its target to about $100,000 a pop. As you will see in the video once launched Javelins seem to have a mind of their own.

Over Uneven Terrain Javelin Missile Often Has Unpredictable Flight Path

As US military forces in Afghanistan are apt to say the FGM-148 Javelin Missile is a great weapons system when it works as advertised. However, against buildings and fortifications in Afghanistan once the missile is airborne it is sometimes the missile launch teams and their combat buddies that are the ones that are running for cover.

When you fire the Javelin missile you can never be too confident of the results that you will achieve. Other than those nagging details of accuracy and reliability the Javelin is a great weapon.