The Javelin missile has successfully demonstrated its ability to engage targets beyond its current 2.5km range requirement for the UK Army.

Five UK Army-sponsored live-fire ground vehicle launch tests were carried out at the Salisbury Plain Training Area in Wiltshire, England, by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin's Javelin Joint Venture team.

During the trials, the missiles were mounted on a Spartan armoured fighting vehicle and fired with the Kongsberg M151 remote weapon station.

Each missile flew between 1.2km and 4.3km hitting the stationary ground target in each test, according to a statement posted on Raytheon's website.

Lockheed Martin missiles and fire control Javelin programme director Rich Benton said: "These successful ground tests validate Javelin's long-range engagement capability.

"These tests also reinforce Javelin's maturity and readiness for deployment from vehicles and other platforms."

"These tests also reinforce Javelin's maturity and readiness for deployment from vehicles and other platforms."

In addition to demonstrating Javelin's capability to engage targets from increased standoff distances on various platforms, the tests confirm the missile's greater than 94% reliability.

Raytheon Missile Systems Javelin Joint Venture president John Halvey said: "Javelin's effectiveness in this demonstration enables mounted infantry to confidently engage targets at ranges that surpass other weapons in this class.

"This range, coupled with vehicle integration, enhances overmatch for mounted infantry units."

Designed for one-soldier operations in all environments, Javelin is currently in service with the US Army and US Marine Corps, and has also been approved for 15 foreign military sale customers.

Image: British troops fire a Javelin on Salisbury Plain in March 2015. Photo: courtesy of Steve Dock.