What is the peak altitude of the FGM-148 Javelin in direct mode?

What is the peak altitude of the FGM-148 Javelin in direct mode?

• A. 190 ft
• B. 500 ft
• C. 250 ft
• D. 400 ft

Answer: (A)

Direct mode is used for a straight, line-of-sight strike at the target, so the flight path stays close to ground level to keep the seeker reliably locked on and to deliver a quick, frontal hit. Because of this low-angle approach, the peak altitude is relatively modest—about 190 ft (roughly 60 meters). The other higher numbers would imply lofted or top-attack-type trajectories, which aren’t used in direct mode. So the figure around 190 ft best matches how direct-mode flight is designed to operate.

Direct mode is used for a straight, line-of-sight strike at the target, so the flight path stays close to ground level to keep the seeker reliably locked on and to deliver a quick, frontal hit. Because of this low-angle approach, the peak altitude is relatively modest—about 190 ft (roughly 60 meters). The other higher numbers would imply lofted or top-attack-type trajectories, which aren’t used in direct mode. So the figure around 190 ft best matches how direct-mode flight is designed to operate.