RTX Delivers FGM-148F Javelin to US Army: New Version Doubles Range, Cuts Weight by 25%
RTX has begun delivering the upgraded FGM-148F Javelin to the U.S. Army, featuring a new Lightweight Command Launch Unit that doubles the system’s target detection and recognition range while being 30% smaller and 25% lighter than the unit it replaces. Deliveries were reported in May 2026.
What Changed
The improvements are concentrated in the Command Launch Unit — the optical-electronic module the operator uses to locate, identify, and lock onto a target before launch. The new unit:
- Doubles target detection and recognition range
- Reduces unit dimensions by 30%
- Cuts weight by 25%
For dismounted infantry, the weight and size reductions are significant — every gram matters on a foot patrol. The doubled detection range directly addresses lessons learned in Ukraine, where engaging tanks and armor at standoff distances proved critical for crew survival.
About Javelin
Co-produced by RTX and Lockheed Martin, the Javelin is a man-portable, “fire-and-forget” anti-tank guided missile system with electro-optical/infrared guidance. It gained widespread international attention for its effectiveness in Ukraine, where operators used it to destroy thousands of armored vehicles. The system is in service with the U.S., Australia, France, Taiwan, New Zealand, and numerous NATO allies.
The FGM-148F iteration responds specifically to combat feedback from the Ukraine conflict, where early target detection and lock-on from distance were repeatedly identified as decisive factors in anti-armor engagements.
Sources: Stars and Stripes (May 27, 2026); RTX official press releases; Army Recognition.
