First Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Units delivered to the U.S. Army
Continued Raytheon investment will increase annual production
TUCSON, Ariz., May 26, 2026 — The Javelin Joint Venture (JJV), a collaboration between Raytheon, part of RTX (NYSE: RTX), and Lockheed Martin, has successfully delivered the initial batch of Lightweight Command Launch Units (LWCLU) to the U.S. Army. Designed as a next-generation launcher for the Javelin® weapon system, the LWCLU boasts adaptability, ensuring compatibility with current, past, and future Javelin variants, effectively replacing the legacy command launch unit.
To enhance production capabilities, Raytheon has committed $22 million towards modernizing the LWCLU manufacturing facility in Tucson, Arizona. This investment aims not only to boost production speed but also to increase output capacity in partnership with the U.S. Army.
“The delivery of the first LWCLUs to the U.S. Army underscores the Javelin Joint Venture’s dedication to continuously enhancing technology for our service members,” stated Jenna Hunt Frazier, JJV president and Javelin program director at Raytheon. “Our focus on modernization and expanded production capacity ensures that soldiers receive this advanced capability more swiftly.”
The Javelin LWCLU delivers significant improvements, providing soldiers with double the target detection and recognition range while reducing overall dimensions by 30% and weight by 25%. This advancement enhances surveillance capabilities for soldiers, facilitating day and night engagement operations.
Rich Liccion, JJV vice president and Lockheed Martin Javelin program director, remarked, “The production and delivery of the LWCLU represents a crucial progression in modernizing the Javelin system to meet the demands of today’s warfighter. Its innovative design not only improves mobility and survivability but also maintains the precision firepower that users rely on.”
The Javelin weapon system is developed and produced through the JJV collaboration, with Raytheon based in Tucson, Arizona, and Lockheed Martin located in Orlando, Florida.
Source: RTX (Raytheon) (2026-05-26 13:00:00)
