The Javelin missile is a fire-and-forget weapon, meaning once it is launched, the operator can immediately take cover or engage other targets without needing to guide the missile to its target.
The Javelin missile employs a top-attack profile, allowing it to strike armored vehicles and tanks with precision by targeting their weaker, less armored top surfaces.
It features a tandem warhead, which includes a precursor charge to defeat reactive armor followed by a primary shaped charge to penetrate the main armor of the target.
Equipped with an infrared guidance system, the Javelin missile can be fired during day or night, in adverse weather conditions, and against obscured targets.
The Javelin has an effective firing range of up to 2.5 kilometers (1.55 miles), providing operators with stand-off distance and reducing exposure to enemy threats.
Despite its advanced capabilities, the Javelin system is lightweight and portable, allowing infantry units to carry and operate it effectively in various combat environments.
The Javelin launcher features an integrated thermal sight that provides target acquisition and engagement capabilities, enhancing accuracy and lethality.
Multi-Role: Besides its primary anti-tank role, the Javelin missile can be employed against fortified positions, bunkers _
_ and it can also shoot down helicopters in close range, making it a versatile weapon system.
The Javelin missile system is in service with multiple countries' armed forces, including the United States Army and Marine Corps, as well as various NATO allies and partner nations.
The FGM-148 Javelin has been used in combat operations in various theaters, including Iraq and Afghanistan, where it has demonstrated its effectiveness against armored threats.