Javelin (AAWS-M) System Summary

The Javelin (AAWS-M) System Summary line item in the Army's FY 2026 budget request supports the procurement and sustainment of the Javelin Advanced Anti-Tank Weapon System-Medium (AAWS-M). This program is managed as an Acquisition Category (ACAT) IC Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) and is led by the Army with joint interest from other U.S. military services and international partners.

The Javelin system is designed to provide man-portable, fire-and-forget, medium-range missile capabilities to defeat armored vehicles, soft targets, and attacking helicopters in a variety of operational environments, including day/night, adverse weather, and countermeasure conditions. The primary goals of the Javelin program are to maintain and enhance the Army's anti-armor capabilities through ongoing procurement of missiles and Command Launch Units (CLUs), address system obsolescence, and ensure continued operational readiness.

The system's modular design allows for software and hardware upgrades to meet evolving threats and requirements. The FY 2026 budget request includes funding for both recurring and non-recurring engineering, acceptance testing, production engineering, and obsolescence mitigation for multiple components, as well as the procurement of Battery Coolant Units (BCUs) and training devices.

One sub-line item focuses on the procurement of Javelin missiles and related support activities. Funding is allocated for Guidance Section Obsolescence Redesign, Training Device Obsolescence Redesign, recurring engineering, acceptance testing, obsolescence mitigation, production engineering, and BCUs. The objectives include redesigning the guidance section to address component obsolescence, qualifying new components, and ensuring the system remains producible and reliable. Trade studies and prototyping efforts are underway to develop a fully qualified guidance section before current component inventories are depleted.

Another sub-line item supports the production of Lightweight CLUs and associated training devices in FY 2026. The Lightweight CLU is a key component of the Javelin system, providing improved situational awareness, target acquisition, and surveillance capabilities. The procurement also includes recurring engineering, acceptance testing, fielding, production line facilitization, depot facilitization, interim contractor support, and training device obsolescence redesign. The objectives are to accelerate the delivery of LWCLUs, address maintenance and sustainment needs, and ensure compatibility with evolving training requirements.

Justification for the Javelin program includes its high kill rate against modern armor threats, effectiveness against stationary and moving targets, and the ability to operate in complex battlefield conditions. The fire-and-forget technology enables gunners to fire and immediately take cover or reposition, enhancing survivability. The CLU's dual role as a surveillance and target acquisition asset further increases its utility. The Army plans to leverage contract negotiations, other services' procurements, and foreign military sales to maximize procurement quantities and invest in system improvements related to safety, reliability, affordability, and producibility.

Additional objectives include supporting homeland defense missions, domestic emergency responses, and military support to civil authorities, as mandated by Section 1815 of the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act. The program also addresses industrial base capacity and delivery lead-times, which have been impacted by increased demand and supplemental funding for Ukraine. Investments in production facilitization and maintenance are intended to increase manufacturing throughput and reduce delivery times starting in FY 2027.