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

• A. 190 ft
• B. 500 ft
• C. 100 ft
• D. 800 ft

Answer: (B)

Top-attack mode uses a pre-programmed flight path where the missile climbs to a peak height above the target and then descends to strike the top of the vehicle. This approach hits armor where it’s thinnest and exploits the vehicle’s top surface vulnerability. The Javelin typically peaks around 500 feet (about 150 meters) above the target, which provides a reliable top-down approach across different vehicle heights while keeping the flight profile efficient and safe from obstacles. Lower peaks, like 100 or 190 feet, wouldn’t assure a true top-attack angle on varied targets, and a peak as high as 800 feet would be unnecessarily tall and could complicate guidance or sensing. So the peak altitude is about 500 feet.