Ground Based Air Defense

The Anti-Armor Missile-Javelin program is a key procurement line item for the United States Marine Corps (USMC) under the Department of the Navy, focusing on the acquisition and sustainment of the Javelin missile system. This system provides a man-portable, fire-and-forget, medium-range anti-armor capability, enabling Marines to defeat armored vehicles, fortifications, and soft targets across a range of operational environments. The program's primary goal is to maintain and enhance the USMC's tactical advantage against evolving armor threats through the procurement of advanced missile systems and supporting equipment.

The objectives for the Javelin Guided Missile procurement are centered on acquiring missiles with improved lethality, extended range, and enhanced reliability. The Javelin Block I missile features a tandem warhead capable of defeating modern armor, a soft launch capability for firing from enclosures, and fire-and-forget technology that allows operators to engage targets without maintaining line-of-sight. Procurement quantities for upcoming fiscal years are expected to decrease due to contract award delays and prioritization of deliveries under the Ukraine Presidential Drawdown Authority. The Javelin Joint Venture manufactures these missiles under contracts managed by the Army's Aviation and Missile Command.

The Ukraine Presidential Drawdown Authority has significantly impacted the program's objectives and funding profile. Increased missile production for delivery to Ukraine has led to changes in annual production limits. To meet heightened demand, the program includes non-recurring engineering funding to expand manufacturing facilities and accelerate delivery schedules, with current delivery times ranging from several years from contract award. This drawdown has temporarily shifted procurement priorities and led to a reduction in USMC missile quantities for the near term.

Another critical objective is the procurement and fielding of Lightweight Command Launch Units (LWCLU), LWCLU Trainers, and Battery Coolant Units (BCU). The legacy Block I CLU is approaching obsolescence and cannot be sustained or procured further. The LWCLU provides extended range and improved situational awareness, ensuring compatibility with newer Javelin missiles and supporting the USMC's operational requirements. Upcoming funding will support the acquisition of LWCLUs, LWCLU Trainers, and BCUs, along with Initial Issue Provisioning Packages to facilitate maintenance and sustainment.

Program management and engineering support components of the budget are designed to ensure quality, reliability, and compliance with evolving requirements. Funding will cover engineering support in production, configuration management, First Article and Lot Acceptance Testing, and program management activities. These efforts address changes to form, fit, and function in design, resolve manufacturing concerns, and maintain high standards for delivered ammunition and equipment.

Training and sustainment are also addressed through the procurement of training devices and support equipment for both active and reserve components. The program includes funding for LWCLU Trainers and provisioning packages that enable organic and intermediate maintenance, ensuring that Marines are adequately trained to operate and maintain the Javelin system. These investments are justified by the need to transition to newer hardware and maintain readiness as legacy systems reach the end of their service life.