13 Dec 2008
Lance Cpl. Jed Bolyard, 22, an infantryman from College Point, N.Y., fires the Javelin missile during an exercise near Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Dec. 8. Bolyard is with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5. The Javelin shoot was one small part of a larger combined-arms exercise, which integrated traditional infantry elements with aviation, mortars and several anti-armor systems. ID: 135403 Date Taken: December 8th, 2008 Location: AL ASAD AIR BASE, IQ Photographer: Capt. Paul Greenberg
December 13th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
It’s amazing how little smoke and flame there is from the ejection charge. I guess it’s designed that way to avoid giving away the launcher position, but still amazing.
December 13th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Id say that disposable or hand-held re-loadable rocket launchers are more efficient than hand=held missiles in that they’re less expensive and less invasive on the weight of combat loads and that they’re less important if you lose one, your eto isn’t pissed if you drop an AT4 during an ambush, or if some ass hole steals your rounds for your M26
December 14th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
From some website-
“The propulsion section consists of the launch and flight motors.
The launch motor propels the missile out of the LTA. It provides the initial force to push the missile a safe distance from the gunner before the flight motor ignites to ensure the gunner’s safety. The launch motor is completely spent by the time the missile clears the LTA, this accounts for the low signature after launch.
The flight motor powers the missile to the target during flight. It ignites when the missile is a safe distance from the gunner, protecting the gunner from hot exhaust gases generated when the motor fires.”
Nifty.
December 14th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
@Nicholas: The main goal of the ejection charge is to enable the Javelin to be launched from enclosed areas. You need a lot more room to fire an AT4 because of the large backblast.
@derrderr420: The AT4 and the Javelin actually have very different purposes. You don’t destroy enemy tanks with AT4’s. In the FM for it, it states that in order to destroy an MBT you should plan on using volley fire with several AT4’s and aim for the sides or rear. It’s more on a light, disposable anti-APC and light vehicle weapon that can also be used against bunkers, concentrations of enemy personnel, etc. The Javelin is a dedicated anti-armor weapon. Instead of launching directly at a target, it obtains a missile lock on it and launches upwards, then arcs down to penetrate the top armor.
They’re weapons with very different uses and purposes, which is why you find two Javelin teams in the weapons section of an infantry rifle platoon, whereas individual soldiers may happen to carry AT4’s with them in the rifle squads but it’s not anybody’s designated job. It’s like a replacement for the LAW.
December 14th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Hmm, it looks like there is still some burning fuel despite the fact it’s cleared the launcher but isn’t far enough away to safely engage the flight motor. I suppose you could argue that the launch motor is “spent” but there’s still a bit of fuel left burning, just enough to be visible. It’s also possible that what we’re seeing is merely hot glowing parts as a result of the rapid burning of the launch motor.
December 14th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
I didn’t know 2/25 was back in Iraq. Those Reservist Devil Dogs have sure been deployed a lot.