Innovating for Excellence: Javelin's Path to Increased Production Capacity

Lockheed Martin is undergoing significant updates to its Javelin^® production line, aiming to increase efficiency and modernize its processes in an effort to continue delivering on its global customer commitments. With a current production capacity of 2,400 Javelin missiles per year, the program is set to ramp up to 3,960 per year by late 2026. This expansion in production capacity is challenging our teams to innovate in order to meet the increasing worldwide demand for the Javelin weapon system.

To support the increased production rates, the Javelin team is employing new tooling and test equipment, improving the efficiency of the production line, and partnering with its existing supply chain. In May 2025, the Javelin team introduced its first newly designed continuity test station at the Pike County Production Facility in Troy, Alabama. This state-of-the-art station tests both missiles and rounds, replacing outdated systems and positioning the production line for success for increased production capacity. With the new test station, the manufacturing team is ensuring all interconnected subcomponents are properly communicating.

“The Javelin program's investment in new tooling and test equipment is a key factor in our ability to increase production capacity and meet the growing demand for the system,” said Rich Liccion, Javelin Joint Venture (JJV) vice president and Lockheed Martin Javelin program director. “Our team's focus on innovation and efficiency will enable us to deliver high-quality products to our customers while also driving down costs and improving overall performance.” 

In addition to new tooling and equipment, the Javelin team is introducing production data automation with SystemLink, a new digital transformation tool that automatically collects, processes and analyzes data from manufacturing processes on the production line in Troy. This tool will enable seamless data analysis to improve efficiency, quality and decision-making in manufacturing.

The team is also exploring opportunities to implement advanced manufacturing technologies, including common software architecture across the production line. This commonality allows for easier maintenance troubleshooting support and improved technician cross-training to address issues faster. These upgrades and replacements are the building blocks for future Javelin business growth.

The Javelin team is currently designing and deploying new cyber-compliant test stations to the production floor at the Pike County Production Facility in Troy, Alabama, and the Ocala facility in Ocala, Florida. These new test stations will provide cyber-compliant innovative technology, allowing the production line to be more efficient and agile as production capacity ramps.

"Leveraging new test station technology enables the JJV to increase Javelin production," said Andy Amaro, Javelin Joint Venture president and Javelin program director at Raytheon. “We are committed to maintaining the high standards of quality and performance that the U.S. and allied partners expect from Javelin."

The team is building and rolling out 14 new stations in Troy and eight new stations in Ocala, along with two new stations in Huntsville, Alabama to support Javelin Quality Assurance Lot Validation Testing (QALVT) and engineering activities. All new test stations needed to rate ramp for Javelin will be online by late 2026. These test stations will verify that the Javelin missile and its subcomponents meet environmental, performance and functional requirements.

One of the main advantages of the new test stations is a reduction in downtime, which will improve overall production efficiency and allowing for more rapid delivery of Javelin missiles to customers. This will drive greater test station availability, while increasing throughput and improving yields throughout the production lifecycle. In addition, one of the new test stations will be able to test four Javelin seekers simultaneously versus the current capability of one seeker at a time. This boosts output, increases test station availability and improves yields across the entire production process. These are two examples of how the various new test stations upgrades are improving the Javelin production team throughout the entire production process.

The team is also collaborating with suppliers to ensure they can meet the increased production demands, including partnering with suppliers to implement new manufacturing technologies and procedures. This combined with the implementation of new testing and validation procedures, will improve overall product quality.

Facing escalating global demand, Lockheed Martin aims to reduce Javelin missile lead times by increasing production capacity and modernizing its processes. Specifically, production output is expected to increase by more than 50% by late 2026, from 2,400 to 3,960 Javelin missiles per year. The added production capacity will accelerate the burndown of missile backlog while also reducing lead time for domestic and international customers.

The modernized test stations will also facilitate future international co-production activities, enabling collaboration with global partners while adhering to export compliance and cyber-compliance regulations. The standardized design of the new test stations allows for potential replication and use in other countries, supporting co-production and second sourcing efforts. This will drive future growth opportunities, job creation and economic benefits for participating countries through working with in-country industrial partners.

A cornerstone of modern military defense, the Javelin system plays a critical role in empowering American and allied ground forces, delivering a reliable and proven anti-tank capability that enhances global security.

Javelin® is developed and produced by the Javelin Joint Venture (JJV), a joint partnership between Raytheon in Tucson, Arizona and Lockheed Martin in Orlando, Florida.