Press Release

Contact:  Larry Dickerson, Missile Systems Analyst

Phone: (203) 426-0800

Fax: (203) 426-4262

Web site: www.forecast1.com

E-mail: larry.dickerson@forecast1.com

Forecast International, Inc.

22 Commerce Rd. Newtown, CT  06470 USA

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Javelin Wins UK LFATGW Competition

 

NEWTOWN, Conn., January 23, 2003 - In a significant victory for Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, the United Kingdom has selected the Javelin missile as winner of its Light Forces Anti-Tank Guided Weapon (LFATGW) system competition.  This selection of Javelin was a blow to its main rival – the Rafael NT-G/S missile.

 

The UK competition was seen as a key test for both missiles.  "Both Rafael and Raytheon-Lockheed Martin fought hard to win this competition," said Larry Dickerson, missile systems analyst with Forecast International.  "Each entry had something to prove and a lot riding on this decision," he said.

 

"A win in the UK competition could have seen Rafael secure a commanding position in the anti-armor missile market," Dickerson said.  Israel needed to defeat the Javelin in a major international competition to prove that its victories in Finland and the Netherlands were not flukes.  A third strong showing of the NT against Javelin could have tilted Germany, and perhaps Turkey, in favor of the Israeli system over its American and Western European rivals.

 

"Meanwhile, Raytheon and Lockheed Martin needed to win big export contracts to help keep the Javelin's cost under control, as well as secure their position as leading providers of next-generation manportable ATGWs," Dickerson said. 

 

The LFATGW contract is worth $459 million and will help to support Javelin production into the fourth quarter of the decade.  The Javelin is expected to enter with British Army light units in 2005.  The British Army's 16 Air Assault Brigade and the 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines will be the first to receive the Javelin missile.  The Javelin is expected to remain in UK military service through 2025.

 

Javelin is already in service with the US military and is said to be deployed in Afghanistan with the Special Operations Forces of an undisclosed nation.  Known customers for the Javelin include Lithuania, Jordan, Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan.  Exports could add another 10,000 to 20,000 units to Javelin's production total.

 

Raytheon and Lockheed Martin have formed the Javelin Joint Venture.  Raytheon, which leads this joint venture, provides systems engineering management and support for the Javelin Joint Venture and produces the Command Launch Unit (CLU), missile guidance electronic unit and system software. 

 

Lockheed Martin provides missile engineering and production support for the Javelin Joint Venture, produces the missile seeker, and performs missile all-up-round assembly.

 

Forecast International/DMS, Inc., is a leading provider of Market Intelligence and Analyses in the areas of aerospace, defense, power systems and military electronics.  Based in Newtown, CT, USA, Forecast International specializes in long-range industry forecasts and innovative marketing presentations, including regular 10-year forecasts.  To arrange an interview with Forecast International's analysts, please contact Monty Nebinger (203-426-0800, monty.nebinger@forecast1.com).