FGM-148 Javelins are the older, heavier and deadlier than the M136 AT4 missile launcher. Unlike the M136 AT4, rockets fired by the Javelin use infrared technology which help guide them to their targets. They can also fire multiple rockets in succession, unlike the single-shot of the AT4.
Javelin missiles can easily destroy a modern tank when fired from high ground, as well as building walls and bunkers. Each Javelin costs about $174,000 and is made by both Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. However, they weigh almost 50 pounds, which makes them much heavier and less easily portable than their AT4 counterparts.
The M2 Browning
The M2 Browning is the much heavier and deadlier version of the M240. It uses massive .50 BMG cartridges, which can cut even a heavy tank's armor to shreds. Its bullets are highly accurate and come in many variants, including regular ball, tracer, armor-piercing (AP), incendiary, and sub-caliber rounds.
The M2 Browning weighs up to 127 pounds, which means it can only be used when docked. It has a range of over 8000 yards, although effectiveness drops past 2,000 yards. Each one of these costs about $14,000. They were mounted on almost every American warplane from 1939 to 1955 and continues to be used in various forms today.
The AGM-88 HARM
The AGM-88 HARM is an anti-radiation Navy missile. Despite common misconceptions, anti-radiation missiles have nothing to do with “nuclear” radiation, and seek electromagnetic radiation to hit their targets. Their main purpose is to destroy radio towers, radar systems and more. Enemies without these can’t use most of their warfare technology.
Each AGM-88 HARM missile costs $250,000 and has an effective range of 80 miles. They fly at about 750 miles per hour, which makes them almost unstoppable. HARM missiles were used extensively during 1991’s Operation Desert Storm and the 2003 Iraq War.
The SCALPEL
Most of us associate the word scalpel with the popular surgical tool. Navy SCALPELs are also very precise but are mostly used to cause massive destruction. These bombs are extremely accurate, thanks to a laser-guiding system. The name SCALPEL is an acronym for Small Contained-Area Laser Precision Energetic Load.
SCALPEL bombs can easily hit small and sensitive targets with surgical precision, rarely causing any collateral damage. These bombs can take down targets hiding inside densely packed civilian buildings. The Navy is currently rolling out SCALPELs for initial testing, with many more expected in the coming years.
The Ship Self-Defense System (SSDS)
Missiles such as the Evolved Sea-Sparrow and Rolling Airframe require a launcher to properly function, which is where the Ship Self-Defense System comes in. This launcher can also be used to deploy decoys and other defensive measures.
The Ship Self-Defense System offers a huge benefit by being able to automate the fire control loop, which shortens the time it takes from detecting a threat to eliminating it. It’s a very common feature on many Navy units, and has saved many lives over the years.