Raytheon has developed a hand-launched missile, called the Pike, intended to replace the M203 and the Javelin. The Pike is 17 inches long, weighs two pounds, is 40mm in diameter, and is claimed to be “the world’s only hand-launched precision-guided munition.”

The Pike is designed to be fired from a rifle-mounted grenade launcher, such as the M203, or from the new family of Enhanced Grenade Launcher Modules (EGLM), such as the H&K M320 and the FNH Mk13.

The Pike is a laser-guided munition, and thus is a crew-served weapon, requiring a pistol-like laser designator. One soldier fires the weapon and a second soldier operates the designator, or “paints the target.” The effective range is one and a half miles.

Raytheon claims that the Pike is the only hand-fired munition to offer the same high-tech guidance system and the same pinpoint accuracy found only in missiles and bombs delivered by aircraft and vehicles.