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U.S. Army Orders Javelin LWCLU Launchers With Twice the Detection Range in $215M Deal
The U.S. Army awarded the Raytheon–Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture a $215 million contract on October 19, 2026, to manufacture Lightweight Command Launch Units for the Javelin anti-tank missile system. Compared with the Block I launcher, the LWCLU is approximately 30 percent smaller and 25 percent lighter, while doubling target detection and recognition performance and retaining day-and-night engagement capability. The new launcher is designed to work with past, current and future Javelin missile variants, reducing the need for parallel launch equipment. The order follows delivery of the first LWCLUs in May 2026 and represents a production award rather than a prototype selection.