English: Soldiers from 51 Squadron RAF Regiment are pictured firing a Javelin anti tank missile during a training exercise on the Castlemartin Ranges of South West Wales.

Javelin, the medium range anti-tank guided weapon replacement for Milan, is an enhanced version of the American weapon proven on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan by US forces.

The UK version has 2 significant enhancements - a more effective sight system and a tripod (for firing and observation). Javelin provides a step change in dismounted anti-armour and surveillance capability. It delivers longer range, greater lethality, significantly more powerful optics and a lighter load for the Infantryman.

Although designed primarily to destroy tanks and light armoured vehicles, Javelin will also provide a potent, all-weather, day/night capability against fixed defences, such as bunkers and buildings. The integrated sight allows the firer to acquire the target, lock-on, fire and 'forget'. This means that as soon as the missile is launched, the firer can acquire another target or move position. Javelin has a maximum range of 2500 m, and an Overfly Top Attack mode and direct attack mode of operation.

Javelin's surveillance and target acquisition performance is better than all other passive, ground mounted, battlegroup surveillance systems.

Javelin is a crew-served weapon operated by a firer and a controller/observer. The controller/observer commands the weapon and assists with loading, identifying targets and battlefield damage assessment.

• Organization: RAF
• Object Name: 06_Regiment
• Category: MOD
• Supplemental Categories: Operations, Exercises, Equipment, Weapons, Missiles, Javelin, People, Royal Air Force, RAF Regiment
• Keywords: Royal Air Force, RAF, Personnel, Non-Identifiable, RAF Regiment, Soldier, Soldiers, Equipment, Weapon, Missile, Javelin, 51 Sqn, 51 Squadron, Firing
• Country: UNITED KINGDOM