Tucson – October 19, 2026 -- The U.S. Army has awarded the Javelin Joint Venture (JJV), a partnership between Raytheon, an RTX business, and Lockheed Martin, a $215 million production contract for the Lightweight Command Launch Unit (LWCLU), the next-generation launcher for the Javelin weapon system.
The LWCLU replaces the legacy command launch unit. The award follows by five months the JJV's delivery of the first LWCLUs to the Army.
New launcher is 30% smaller and 25% lighter than the Block I unit
Compared with the current Block I Command Launch Unit, the LWCLU is 30% smaller and 25% lighter. It also doubles target detection and recognition. The unit is built to give soldiers maximum surveillance and offers day and night engagement capability.
The launcher is designed to be compatible with all current, past and future Javelin variants.
JJV ties the award to factory modernization
Jenna Hunt Frazier, JJV president and Javelin program director at Raytheon, said modernizing the factory and strengthening the production line will ensure soldiers receive a lighter, more capable launcher that improves operational readiness across the force.
Rich Liccion, JJV vice president and Lockheed Martin Javelin program director, described the award as a testament to the JJV's commitment to meeting warfighter needs.
JJV has produced more than 55,000 missiles and 12,000 launch units
Raytheon builds Javelin in Tucson, Arizona, and Lockheed Martin in Orlando, Florida. To date, the JJV has produced more than 55,000 Javelin missiles and more than 12,000 reusable Command Launch Units.