Continued Raytheon investment in Tucson will increase annual production
TUCSON, Ariz., (June 2, 2026) -- The Javelin Joint Venture (JJV), a partnership between Raytheon, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, and Lockheed Martin, has delivered the first Lightweight Command Launch Units (LWCLU) to the U.S. Army. The LWCLU, a next-generation launcher for the Javelin® weapon system, is designed to be adaptable and compatible with all current, past, and future Javelin variants. The launcher is replacing the weapon system's legacy command launch unit.
To date, Raytheon has invested $22 million to modernize the LWCLU factory to increase production speed and expand capacity. In collaboration with the U.S. Army, the facility in Tucson, Ariz., is ramping up annual production.
"Delivering the first LWCLUs to the U.S. Army reflects the Javelin Joint Venture's commitment to continuously advancing technology for service members," said Jenna Hunt Frazier, JJV president and Javelin program director at Raytheon. "Our investments in modernization and production capacity ensure soldiers receive this cutting-edge capability faster."
The Javelin LWCLU provides soldiers with twice the target detection and recognition range while reducing size by 30% and weight by 25%. The LWCLU maximizes surveillance for soldiers, offering day-and-night engagement capability.
"The production and delivery of the LWCLU marks a pivotal step in modernizing the Javelin system for today's warfighter," said Rich Liccion, JJV vice president and Lockheed Martin Javelin program director. "Its innovative design enhances mobility and survivability while preserving the precision firepower that users rely on."
Javelin is developed and produced by a joint venture between Raytheon in Tucson, Arizona, and Lockheed Martin in Orlando, Florida.
Raytheon, an RTX business, is a major defense technology company with a significant Tucson presence and a long history of supporting the U.S. government, allies and partners in defending national sovereignty and security. For more than 100 years, Raytheon has developed new technologies and enhanced existing capabilities in integrated air and missile defense, smart weapons, missiles, advanced sensors and radars, interceptors, space-based systems, hypersonics, and missile defense across land, air, sea, and space. Its Tucson operations are especially important to the company’s missile and defense systems work, making Raytheon one of Southern Arizona’s most significant employers in advanced manufacturing and the defense sector.