What is E-Venge?

The light vehicle "Avenger" anti-aircraft missile system is the main anti-aircraft missile system of the United States Army. The missile system began to equip the United States Army in 1989. ^[1]

Light vehicle "Avenger" air defense missile system

Developed country: United States name: "Avenger" (Avenger) anti-aircraft missile development unit: the United States Boeing and the Army jointly developed mobile mode: light vehicle status: active

The "Avenger" anti-aircraft missile system is a new type of short-range low-altitude air defense system jointly developed by the United States Boeing and the Army. It is mainly equipped with the US Army and the Marine Corps. This system installs two quadruple Stinger missile launchers on the multi-purpose vehicle M998 Hummer, and is equipped with infrared and optical detection and tracking systems. It has the ability to meet targets and is used to destroy short-range aircraft and helicopters. The plan was proposed in May 1983, and the development and improvement were completed in 1984, and the launch test was carried out. Production began in 1987, equipment for the United States Army began in 1989, and the United States Marine Corps in the early 1990s. Mainly used to deal with low-altitude close-range aircraft, especially gunships. This system has also been introduced in Taiwan, China, to enhance low-altitude, especially ultra-low-altitude air defense capabilities.

1. "Avenger" air defense missile system based on a successful combination of two iconic key elements

When the United States implemented the Non-Development Project (NDI) program in 1987, the U.S. Army began to develop the "Avenger" missile system. The "Avenger" A1 missile system produced by the Boeing Company was successfully combined based on two key elements: the missile system was portable The Stinger anti-aircraft missile is the best portable anti-aircraft missile in the world; the weapon vehicle platform is a heavy high-mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicle "HMMWV", known as the "king of off-road", is The best military wheeled vehicle in the world. The "Avenger" air defense system, which combines two iconic classic equipment, is not a simple combination of advantages, but a performance double.

2. Phase test and related problem discovery and solution of "Avenger" air defense missile system

The Avengers missile system completed a two-phase initial operational test and evaluation (IOT & E) in 1989: Phase I consisted of capture and tracking tests at Fort Hunter-Liggett; Phase II Consists of "Stinger" missile launches at the White Sands Missile Range. On February 28, 1990, the "Avenger" missile system was submitted to Congress by the US Department of Defense's Operational Test and Evaluation Service (DOT & E) for "Start-up-Low Speed Initial Production" (B-LRIP). However, the Avengers missile has also been found to have some operating constraints. These limiting factors are: the damage to the cab by the impinging airflow backwards at some launch azimuths and elevations; excess levels of hydrochloride gas in the cab; An improved voltage regulator; an environmental controller / primary power unit is needed for the missile launch turret. These issues go into the Department of Defense's Combat Test and Evaluation Service leakage program. Later, the US Army reported that Boeing had corrected some of the limiting factors: strengthening the door of the vehicle to avoid damage to the cab by the backward impingement airflow; similarly, new seals or gaskets were received in the cab gap and the door to reduce excess hydrogen chloride (HCL) gas ingress; complete a redesigned and improved regulator to solve the voltage regulator problem, the redesigned regulator and a larger alternator were installed on the full range of vehicles.

Attention has been paid to environmental controller / main power unit solutions. The environmental controller / main power unit is built into the missile launch turret to increase the air pressure inside. During testing, the environmental controller / main power unit was found to cause electromagnetic interference (EMI) problems with the forward-looking infrared and radar control unit video systems. There was a small pause in the middle. Before the repair, the US Small and Medium Business Administration (SBA) had contracted the company that produced the environmental controller to go bankrupt, so it was necessary to determine the source of the replacement, and then other companies bought the company that could not perform due to bankruptcy. Repair work began to be studied as part of a contract restart.

The U.S. Army's test of the environmental controller will examine the following issues: (1) the environmental controller cooling inside the missile launch turret can work at extreme temperatures; (2) the reliability of the environmental controller; (3) the environment Whether the controller has a safety problem; (4) Will the environmental controller reduce the operating ability of the "Avenger"? For example, reduce the range of single-channel terrestrial and airborne radio subsystems (SINCGARS). The U.S. Army tests the Production Sample program. After the US Army's technical tests were completed, the data was provided to the Combat Test and Evaluation Service for inspection and evaluation. Limiting factors have been fully addressed, and the Avengers missile system has been removed from the Department of Defense's Combat Test and Evaluation Office leak program.

3. Upgrade adds the "Spin to Tip" (STC) subsystem

In early 1999, the U.S. Army chose to upgrade parts for "Avenger" air defense units for future production, which would significantly increase the effectiveness of the missile system. The "Rotate to Prompt" subsystem is a major upgrade to the Avengers. It is expected to improve the target capture, tracking, and engagement range, and the number of engagements will increase by 50% and the lethality will increase more than 50%. Equipped with a "rotate to hint" subsystem is called the "Avenger" A2 missile system. The "Rotate to Prompt" capability is embedded in the new "Avenger" missile fire control computer, which solves the system's severely outdated problem and allows other system upgrades at the lowest cost. With the "Rotate to Prompt" subsystem, missile operators are no longer required to search and capture targets with the aid of optical sights or forward-looking infrared radars. The Avengers will be able to accept digital early warning data and automatically rotate the turret azimuth and elevation to center the target in the center of the field of view of the missile operator. The Rotate to Prompt subsystem is linked to the Forward Air Defense Command, Control and Intelligence (FAAD C2I) system through the Enhanced Positioning Reporting System (EPLRS) for early warning / reminders, full aerial imagery, Rotate to Prompt, Target enemy or foe identification (IFF) information. Missile operators can get warnings about targets and information display from the screen in front of them in order to select targets and launch missiles to hit targets. If the operator approves a prompt, the turret automatically rotates to the target orientation. The missile operator only needs to press a button to activate the automatic device, so that the missile launcher can automatically rotate and aim at the target according to the accurate azimuth and elevation angle, and the target appears in the field of view of the operator. The operator then resumes control of the turret and completes the engagement process by capturing, tracking, and engaging targets. "Rotate to prompt" greatly enhances the effectiveness of the Avengers missile air defense, especially for targets that are hard to find by the human eye, such as drones, and low-altitude, high-speed targets such as cruise missiles. This improvement not only improves efficiency and combat performance, but also enables the "Avengers" to counter the wider threat of the 21st century.

"Spin to Tip" (STC) plans to spend $ 14.6 million to upgrade parts for "Avengers" air defense units to significantly increase their effectiveness in a US Army training option, in fiscal 2000 The first quarter begins. The $ 14.6 million contract is for Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP), and the contractor's logistical support will provide approximately 100 Avengers launch units. Upgrades include new fire control computers, the NavPAC integrated inertial / global positioning system navigation system produced by Smith Aerospace, the ADEPT30 video tracking system produced by Octec, and handheld terminal and remote control equipment upgrades. The first upgrade test launch in April 2001 confirmed the BVRE capability provided to the Stinger missile. The upgraded system entered service in 2002. Before the "rotation to prompt" subsystem was adopted, the "Avengers" air defense missile system was listed as a short-range air defense system within line of sight. The new system gave the Stinger missiles an out-of-line combat capability.

4. "Avenger" system procurement and improvement plan, export situation

The first production contract was awarded to Boeing in 1987 for the purchase of 325 units. In 1992, the U.S. Army awarded another contract to purchase 679 units, bringing a total of 1,004 units to the Avengers production. Of the total 1,004 units, the Army purchased 767 launchers and the Marine Corps purchased 237 launchers (including previous purchases). An additional 14 units were ordered in August 1999. The "Avengers" system was first deployed in 1991 to support NATO forces during Operation Desert Storm.

From 1999 to 2009, the Army plans to purchase 437 sets of "Avenger" missile launchers for the active Army and National Guard. Several planned improvements to the Avengers missile system are: slowing down the system's obsolescence, improving low observability, digitizing and integrating battlefields, and advanced integrated weapons and control systems. In terms of export, 74 systems were sold to Taiwan, China and 50 systems were sold to Egypt.

1. Performance characteristics

It has the ability to attack in all directions, not only to chase after attack, but also to attack. Strong resistance to infrared interference. The battlefield has strong maneuverability, and a wheeled vehicle launcher is used. It can be launched while traveling, and can also be launched remotely.

2. Basic data:

Maximum effective range of 5.6 km

Minimum effective range of 200 meters

Maximum effective shooting height of 3.8 km

Minimum effective shooting height of 10 meters

Guidance mode: optical tracking, passive infrared search

Response time 10 seconds (without warning) 3 seconds (with warning)

Round length 1.524 meters

Spring diameter 70 mm

Wingspan 90 mm

1013 kg

Maximum speed Mach 2.2

Launch interval 5 seconds

Refill time 8 minutes

Fuze trigger

Power plant 2-stage solid rocket motor

Car M998 "Hummer"

Total system weight 3900 kg

105 km / h

Maximum travel 563 km

A complete "Avenger" system is based on the "Hummer" combat vehicle as a weapon system mobile platform, but can also be operated in a separate configuration or installed on a variety of military vehicles. The weapon system is mainly composed of a gyroscope-stabilized missile launching turret, a "standard vehicle-mounted launching device" (SVML), a foe and foe identifier, a forward-looking infrared sight, an optical sight and a near-defense machine gun. The Avengers system has two crew members, a missile operator and a pilot. The integrated operator position in the missile launch turret is accompanied by a display, firing control electronics and "standard vehicle mounted launchers". The "Standard Vehicle Mounted Launcher" supports and launches a variety of Stinger missiles. Additionally, the "standard vehicle-mounted launcher" combines an M3P 12.7mm near-defense machine gun, and the necessary firing control sensors are used for missile and machine gun control.

1. "HMMWV" military vehicle

"Avenger" air defense system is based on the "Hummer" military vehicle as a weapon system mobile platform. In the 1970s, the U.S. military wanted to replace a number of small jeep and various four-wheel drive pickups with a new generation of "high-performance multipurpose wheeled vehicle" (HMMWV). In 1983, AM General, a subsidiary of General Motors of the United States, designed and manufactured a V8 6.2-liter diesel engine with a mid-engine layout, and fully independent of the performance characteristics and deficiencies of several previously unused models. Suspension system, using permanent four-wheel drive system, HMMWV car with low body and wide body, and passed various rigorous tests in 1984 to become a new generation of multi-purpose off-road vehicle, officially named HUMVEE. After being adopted by the U.S. Army, it won the first batch to produce 55,000 contracts worth 10 billion US dollars. By 2018, more than 140,000 "Hummer" series vehicles have been produced, and the US military has equipped 100,000 vehicles and exported them to more than 30 countries and regions. With the exception of U.S. Navy and Air Force equipment, the U.S. Army owns a Hummer about every ten people. The U.S. Army makes full use of the excellent and versatile performance of the Hummer. In addition to being a command vehicle, it also has pickup trucks, tow trucks, radio communication vehicles, ambulances, mobile maintenance vehicles, anti-tank combat vehicles, anti-aircraft missile vehicles and anti-ballistic transport. Cars and other deformed cars.

"Stinger" (FIM-92A) individual portable air defense missile

2. Stinger missile

General Dynamics' FIM-92A single-arm portable air defense missile was developed on the basis of the first-generation "Red Eye" missile. The basic Stinger (FIM-92A) is known as the second-generation portable air defense missile system. It was developed in July 1972 and entered service in February 1981. The "Stinger" missile is continuously improved to maintain the advantage of the world's most advanced short-range air defense missile system for a long time, and to provide air defense capabilities to the United States and 19 allies.

In 1977, General Dynamics began developing the third-generation Stinger-POST (FIM-92B) using Passive Optical Seeker Technology (POST). The creative use of advanced "passive optical seeker technology" controlled by a microprocessor. The seeker uses a rosette-shaped scanning optical system and an infrared / ultraviolet dual-color detector. The guidance device can collect more information. The ultraviolet energy ratio identifies infrared interference and unfavorable background sources, greatly improving the target's ability to detect and resist infrared interference, and greatly enhancing the combat performance of the Stinger missile. The "Stinger" -POST began small-scale production in 1983, while continuing to produce the basic "Stinger". Before the end of production in 1987, the total production of these two models exceeded 16,000.

In 1984, the development of the Stinger-RMP (FIM-92C) using the "Reprogrammable Microprocessor" (RMP). The guidance and confrontation software can be reprogrammed to deal with the latest threats, and the ability to resist infrared interference is stronger. Since September 1987, the new "Stinger" -RMP has been officially produced. The first production Stinger-RMPs were delivered to the US Army in July 1989. Later, the Stinger-RMP countermeasure system was improved and upgraded, and an improved Stinger-RMP (FIM-92D) was developed.

In 1992, GM was awarded a contract for the development of the Stinger-RMP Block I (FIM-92 E), and the General Missiles branch responsible for Stinger missile production was sold to Hughes soon after. As a result, the main contractor was changed. Stinger-RMP Block I is an improved Stinger-RMP (FIM-92D). It uses a new set of rolling sensors and an improved software system to significantly improve missile performance to counter low-signal targets and the latest Countermeasure system. The first production Stinger-RMP Block I was delivered to the US Army in 1995. At the same time, many existing Stinger missiles have been upgraded in accordance with the Stinger-RMP Block I standard. In 2001, Stinger-RMP Block I (FIM-92 E) was upgraded to Stinger-RMP Block I (FIM-92 F).

In 1996, it was approved to start the development of the latest "Stinger" BLOCK II, that is, the advanced "Stinger". Adopt new type of focus plane array (FPA) infrared imaging guidance to increase detection distance and accuracy, especially in high clutter and strong countermeasure environment. Increasing the detection range will increase the effective range of the Stinger missile, reaching approximately 8,000 meters (26,000 feet). The Stinger BLOCK II is still in the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) stage. Originally planned for production as early as 1999, it has been postponed several times. In 1997, Lexion acquired Hughes Electronics, becoming the new main contractor for the Stinger missile.

Various types of "Stinger" missile systems are sold to the military of many countries around the world, including some Third World countries. Of course, some of these countries use "informal" channels to obtain them. The most shocking result was that during the Soviet Union s invasion of Afghanistan, Afghan resistance fighters used the Stinger missiles to fight, and reportedly shot down 250 former Soviet fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Of all the aircraft that were shot down worldwide, about 300 were shot down by Stingers. Until 2001, more than 70,000 models of the Stinger had been manufactured, including those produced abroad. The current state-of-the-art production model is the Stinger-RMP Block I (FIM-92 ^[2]

The Avengers is a maneuverable, transportable, and lightweight Stinger anti-aircraft missile mounted on a base. It mainly consists of a double-armed launcher with eight Stinger missiles, a forward-looking infrared radar, an enemy-friend identification device, an optical sight, a machine gun or a rocket. It is usually mounted on a heavy high-mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle, the Hummer. The Avengers are designed to attack enemy cruise missiles, drones, and low-flying high-speed fixed-wing and helicopters in defensive airspace. The "Avengers" air defense missile system is a key element of the US Army's "Front Area Air Defense" (FAAD) system. It has a high degree of mobility, flexibility, and agility. The forefront of the rapid construction of low-altitude links of the air defense system. The "Avenger" system is very convenient for transportation due to its small size. A C-130 transport plane can carry 3 Avenger systems or 5 launchers at the same time. In addition to being mounted on Hummer military vehicles, the launcher can also be mounted on M113 armored vehicles and other wheeled / tracked vehicles. Surprisingly, the current high mobility has become the biggest highlight of the "Avengers" air defense system. The core of mobile low-altitude defense is deployed in urban centers and important places to prevent terrorist attacks.

The design concept of the "Avenger" air defense missile system is very correct, and the developed system has excellent performance. But the "Stinger" anti-aircraft missile, although excellent in performance, comes from a short-range portable anti-aircraft missile. Therefore, there are two main deficiencies. In the construction of the front-end area air defense system: the detection range of the "Sentinel" AN / MPQ-64 radar produced by Rexion used in the US Army's air defense system exceeds 40 kilometers, and the air defense produced by TRW The command, control, and intelligence system can also handle targets as far as 40 kilometers, but the combat range of the entire air defense system is limited by the range of the Stinger missile; in urban air defense systems: Although the Avengers have super mobility, Very flexible, but the Stinger missile has a maximum altitude of 3,800 meters and a maximum range of 8 kilometers. The wreckage is likely to fall in the densely populated urban area and cause serious damage. The U.S. Army and the Marine Corps have started the development of new medium-range low-altitude air defense systems in order to make up for the lack of Stinger missiles used by the Avengers air defense system. The chassis still uses "Hummer" wheeled vehicles, and the vehicle-mounted air defense missiles use AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) instead of short-range "Stinger" missiles.

1. US Army HUMRAAM medium range self-propelled missile system.

Senior U.S. Army leaders have adopted an Army Air Defense Force Modernization Plan. In line with the strategic reforms of the Army's Medium Brigade Combat Force (IBCT), the Army intends to use HUMRAAM midrange self-propelled missile systems to replace some of the Avengers and "Guard" and "Stinger" short-range air defense systems. The HUMRAAM system is an AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) installed on a highly mobile multipurpose wheeled vehicle (HMMWV). The advantage is that it can strike targets at greater distances. However, the HUMRAAM system will not completely replace the Stinger short-range air defense system, but the two complement each other. Because the "Stinger" missile uses infrared guidance, and AMRAAM uses radar guidance. The existence of both guidance methods makes it difficult for the enemy to take countermeasures against them simultaneously.

2. United States Marine Corps Assisted Low Altitude Weapon System (CLAWS).

The U.S. Marine Corps has allocated $ 39.4 million to develop auxiliary low-altitude weapon systems (CLAWS) for the U.S. Marine Corps Expeditionary Force by the Raytheon Integrated Air Defense Systems Division. The auxiliary low-altitude weapon system is an all-weather, high-mobility, and high-fire-power anti-aircraft missile system. Like the Army, it also uses a high-mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle as a delivery platform and AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles as interceptors. This system is a Marine type of the ground-launched universal launcher plan jointly implemented by the US Army / Marine Corps, and will be first equipped with the Marine Expeditionary Force. The system complements the existing "Avengers" air defense system, providing over-the-horizon interception capabilities for cruise missiles, drones and other threats.

US "Avenger" air defense missile system on the Iraqi battlefield

The Avengers air defense missile system was deployed during Desert Storm and the Balkans. During the Gulf War, the US Army responded to the large number of Soviet-made aircraft equipped by the Iraqi Army. It deployed 38 of the 70-odd Avengers equipped by the Army to the US Army in Saudi Arabia. 3 armored cavalry divisions were equipped with 6 sets. In a desert environment, the system shows good high temperature and sand resistance