The FGM-148F Javelin anti-tank missile system was developed in 1989 to destroy armored vehicles and low-flying low-speed targets (helicopters, drones and light aircraft). A chilled matrix infrared homing head (GOS) “sees” the target and allows it to be captured at any time of the day. Therefore, after the shot, the shooter can immediately change his position to avoid being hit by counterfire.
The target is hit by a tandem HEAT warhead capable of penetrating 600-800 mm of armor. In this case, the rocket hits a tank or other armored vehicle in the upper part where the armor is least resistant.
Javelins can be deceived by creating traps and smoke screens. Also, active protection is used to protect against anti-tank systems detonating towards an incoming projectile.
Russian Academy of Missile and Artillery Sciences Deputy Head of the Military Sciences Doctor Konstantin Sivkov noted that the conflicts in Ukraine proved the ineffectiveness of the Javelins against military equipment in residential areas.
“The Americans ran these Javelins against our tanks in Ukraine. We delivered 7,000 units. They had to burn all our equipment several times, but that didn’t happen,” Sivkov said.
He added that there are several reasons for such low efficiency of American ATGMs, but the main one is the controversial algorithm of GOS operation.
“Maybe they were used by untrained personnel, maybe they were destroyed before entering the troops. But the fact is that in Ukrainian conditions they turned out to be an absolutely ineffective weapon, because the concept of the Javelin is rather dubious. It only hits hot armored vehicles. And if it gets cold, then it will not do anything, ”says Sivkov.
He explained that the concept of “fire and forget”, for which the Cirit was created, requires the complex to independently recognize and capture the target. Without this, the shot cannot be fired. Many other ATGMs, such as the Russian Kornet, are guided by a laser beam and hit any target, even those without infrared visibility.
“We can shoot at any target with laser illuminated anti-tank systems. Wherever he sent it, it will get there. Therefore, such anti-tank systems are often used to destroy pillboxes or sniper shelters. And the Javelin fires only at a tank or an armored personnel carrier. Moreover, if there is an obstacle, he will no longer see the target. For example, if something is burning near the tank, the Javelin will hit that fire, ”Sivkov explained.
According to the expert, Javelin’s ability to shoot equipment from above also plays a bad role in city warfare.
“When there is war in the city, the high houses intervene. If the tank stands under a structure that will hang above it, the Javelin will no longer hit it because it will hit that structure. If there is smoke, it may not detect the thermal radiation of the tank behind it. Also, the smoke is hot and it can hide the tank,” he said.
At the same time, the head of the IMEMO RAS Center for International Security, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexei Arbatov noted that the Javelins are quite suitable complexes for their classes.
“I believe this is a very effective weapon for its intended purpose. This is not for big tank battles. This is a portable weapon for infantry. Besides, it’s a pretty simple system,” Arbatov said.
According to him, the Americans will continue to purchase Cirit when the level of their stocks in warehouses reaches 7-10 thousand complexes.
“As long as the remaining Javelins are enough for them, they will not wage a major war with anyone against the tanks. But if the operation continues for a few more months, they will have to provide additional shipments to Ukraine. “Then they will consider replenishing their own stocks and those of their NATO allies,” he said.
According to him, there is no need to modernize the Javelins anymore. Also, the Americans, unlike the Russian army, do not develop weapons “just like that.”
“We come up with something a little bit new, implement quality features right away, and improve them endlessly. And the Americans do it spasmodically. With technical know-how, this will significantly increase both accuracy and range and reduce weight. And it is very simple, they do not spend money to make it a little better, ”explained Arbatov.
Konstantin Sivkov, on the other hand, announced that the modernization of the Javelins will significantly increase their costs.
“Now the Americans will analyze the experience of use and do something, for example, modernize the homing head. Of course, you can find differences between the spectrum of a tank and the spectrum of an armored personnel carrier, but this will significantly increase the cost of the complex. Now the Javelin costs $200,000. If a target recognition system is installed on Javelin, the price will increase by 500,000 – a million dollars,” said Sivkov.
He added that the modernization of the javelins is not a quick process with an unpredictable outcome, which is beneficial for manufacturers of military equipment.
“They need optoelectronic portraits of our technology to “shine” when hovered over it. It is necessary to expand the working range of homing heads. This is a lot of work and it remains to be seen what comes out of it. In any case, this is a big win for companies, ”the expert concluded.
Source: Gazeta
