of Javelin missile

By BETH LAKEY

Staff Writer

Feb. 22, 2001 10 PM

Lockheed Martin Pike County Operations will celebrate a milestone today.

The local missile plant will deliver its 5,000th round of the Javelin shoulder-launched weapon system. The event will begin at 11 a.m., following tours of the facility.

All-up assembly of rounds is performed by Lockheed Martin employees of the Pike County facility.

The Javelin medium-range, anti-tank missile system was developed and

produced by the Lockheed Martin-Raytheon Javelin Joint Venture. The world’s

first one-man transportable and employable fire-and-forget missile system,

Javelin replaces the aging, wire-guided Dragon missile in Ranger and Special

Operations units, infantry and engineer battalions, and armored scout

platoons.

It has gained worldwide attention as an optimum anti-tank weapon to support Rapid Reaction Forces and is approved for international sales through the U.S Army’s Foreign Military Sales system and is also available to meet national requirements for next-generation anti-armor weapon systems.

U.S. Rep. Terry Everett, R-Dothan, will be the keynote speaker. Other speakers will be Stan Arthur, president of Lockheed Martin Missile Fire Control-Orlando; Paul Walker, president of the Javelin Joint Venture; Col. John Weinzettle of the Javelin Program Office of the United States Army and a representative of the United States Marine Corps.

Following remarks and recognitions, Lockheed Martin artist, Richard E. Thompson, will sign lithographs. Thompson’s original painting "Javelin-on Point" will be unveiled during the ceremony.