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Pakistan Army Information

Army Air Defense



On the creation of Pakistan in August 1947, Anti Aircraft's share was just two regiments. Merged with Pakistan Artillery, these units were renamed as 5 Heavy Anti- Aircraft and 6 Light Anti- Aircraft Regiments. 5 Heavy Anti- Aircraft Regiment was the most technical and sophisticated unit of its time. It was the HIMAD Regiment of its time having 3.7" Radar Controlled Guns with a covering range up to 18 kms. It was capable of acquiring, tracking, computing and destroying all weather air intrusions at twenty two thousand feet automatically. Since PAF had yet to be created, the base of Air Defence in Pakistan was laid by 5 Heavy Anti- Aircraft Regiment. The unit, therefore, was naturally selected by the Father of Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for the unique honor of being the First unit of the Armed Forces of Pakistan to be inspected by him on 21 February 1948.

Limited inductions of improved short range air defense weapons resulted in a commendable anti air craft performance in the 1971 war. Anti- Aircraft was then accredited with 51 aircraft, 23 alone were shot down at Dacca Air Field by 6 Light Anti- Aircraft Regiment, now 6 Light Air Defense Regiment. At the outbreak of hostilities the Anti- Aircraft Arty was organized as one Army Air Defense Brigade (i.e. 3 Army Air Defense Brigade) having 12x Light Anti- Aircraft Regiments, 2x (SP) Light Anti- Aircraft Regiments, 3x Heavy Anti- Aircraft Regiments, and 2x Independent Light Anti- Aircraft Batteries. Out of these, 1x Light Anti- Aircraft Regiment was deployed in East Pakistan. The worth mentioning performance was of 6 Light Anti- Aircraft Regiment deployed in East Pakistan (Dacca) under the Command of Brigadier (the then Lieutenant Colonel) Muhammad Afzal, SJ (Late). The unit destroyed 23x air crafts and was awarded 4x SJs. "Miss Holingworth" a BBC War Correspondent described the performance of 6 Light Anti- Aircraft Regiment as "It has been my great desire to see aircraft shot down by Anti- Aircraft guns. Today when I am watching the duels between Indian pilots and Pakistani gunners, I can see the aircraft falling like toys. This is a world record for an Anti- Aircraft performance."

Anti- Aircraft growth in Pakistan was relegated for the development of PAF and Artillery. Its need and importance in Air Defense was, however, highlighted by the Kashmir conflict in 1948, which resulted in some raisings. In the 1965 war even with favorable air situation, the importance and shortage of ground based Air Defense weapons were clearly brought out. Anti- Aircraft was accredited with shooting down 49 enemy aircrafts in 1965.

The 1971 War highlighted again the imbalance in the organization and development of Anti- Aircraft. Anti- Aircraft Command Headquarters was raised in 1975 to coordinate operational employment of all Anti- Aircraft units in Pakistan. Anti- Aircraft after 28 years of its existence was now to be coordinated operationally by Anti- Aircraft Officers. The First General Officer Commanding Major General Iftikhar Muhammad brought in systematic and professional development of Anti -Aircraft by developing a concept of surveillance and inducting the First Air Defense System after 1947 i.e. radar controlled 57 mm Medium Anti- Aircraft. It was a great contribution in environment of economic stringency. Being, then, a part of the Artillery, Anti- Aircraft needs and priorities were neither comprehended nor given due weightage. Anti- Aircraft development was relegated to a low key in the days of Martial Law.

It was only in 1984 when the first comprehensive five year development plan aiming at total development of Anti -Aircraft was conceived, approved and implemented on the orders of General Khalid Mahmud Arif. This comprehensive plan envisaged Modernization, Modification, Reorganization and Indigenization.

Its concept of employment was tested and validated in Exercise Zarb-e-Momin. Army Air Defense as an operational and economic necessity had to be organized on a centralized command basis. This concept was approved for implementation in February 1991. This period spreading over a decade could be regarded as "Consolidation Phase" of Army Air Defense. The newly inducted equipment, weapons and technologies, in the shape of LAADS (Low Altitude Air Defense System) radars, RBS- 70 Missiles, Giraffe Radars, 35 mm Oerlikon Gun system along with Sky Guard Radars were absorbed; both at technical and tactical levels. This phase also saw increase in Air Defense formations and units. The employment concept and tactical doctrine were put to test and adopted subsequently.

Army Air Defense was born on 23 March 1989, when it was separated from Artillery and recognized as the youngest Arm of Pakistan Army, given the name 'Army Air Defense'. This was officially proclaimed on 10 October 1989. Army Air Defense successfully faced the challenge by reorganizing in harmony with its Concept of Integrated Air Defense.

As Army Air Defense is a dynamic arm and it has to keep pace with the fast changing technology and ever increasing/changing air threat. Therefore, a "New Air Defense Concept" based on re-organization of Air Defense Units, selective modernizations and induction of new weapons and equipment was evolved. The same was presented at various forums and modified in the light of recommendations by various headquarters/ organization. As a result of extensive mutual discussions, exhaustive staff work followed by field trails of proposed organizations, the same was approved in October 2003.

Army Air Defense Combat Record

In the 1948 War, the time fuse of Heavy Anti- Aircraft guns brought a total surprise to Indians. In Pandu and Chota Kazi Nag Sector, four Anti -Aircraft guns were deployed besides Medium and field artillery. In Uri and Akhnur Sectors, 2 x Heavy Anti- Aircraft guns and 4 x Light Anti- Aircraft guns participated in Artillery duels. Despite lack of tracks, Captain Abid Hussain Shah (later Major Abid Hussain took the guns to a position in Babot and positioned them on 5 December 1948, which surprised everyone. Even General Tottenham, the General Officer Commanding had to call Captain Abid and congratulate him for a job which was almost impossible. Besides use in ground role, these guns never allowed the Indian Reconnaissance planes to enter the area and take photographs. The performance of Anti- Aircraft gunners, though negligible; had been commendable from all angles.

The Indian Summer Offensive in Jhelum valley started in May 1948. Besides Field Artillery to support the ground offensive of our infantry, the 3.7 inch Heavy Anti -Aircraft guns ex 5 Heavy Anti- Aircraft Regiment and 40 mm Anti -Aircraft guns of 6 Light Anti- Aircraft Regiment were also employed/deployed in ground role to augment the fire power of field Artillery. It may be mentioned that at various places these Anti- Aircraft guns proved more effective (basing direct firing weapons).

During the 1965 War, in August, 110 and 111 batteries moved to Chamb and came under command 4 Corps Artillery. On 6 September 111 Battery moved to Sialkot with 4 Corps Artillery. 110 Battery remained with 7 Division. On 10 September 109 Battery moved from Jhelum bridge and joined 11 Division.

19 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, a unit organic to 1 Armoured Division sent three batteries to Sialkot to join 4 Corps Artillery, which now had two batteries from two different units, 49 (SP) and 135 batteries were deployed to protect bridges on BRB and Ruhi nullah, road Kasur-Khem Karn. Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment and 20 Light Anti- Aircraft Regiment were the only anti-aircraft units employed as such, the former at Mauripur and the later at Sargodha air base.


■132 Battery - Ravi Bridge
■133 Battery - Kala Ordnance depot
■134 Battery - Chenab Bridge
■135 Battery - Jhelum Bridge
29 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment was similarly scattered:-
■112 Battery - Ravi Bridge
■111 Battery - Kharian
■110 Battery - Chenab Bridge
■109 Battery - Jhelum Bridge
13 Light Anti- Aircraft Regiment was deployed as follows:-
■14 Battery -Sargodha air base
■20 Battery -Peshawar air base
■33 Battery -Sakesar air base
■5 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment sent 18 Battery to Badin and 12 Battery to Korangi Creek.

On 6 September 33 Battery, 36 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, moved from Kala to Sargodha air base and came under command 20 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. Sargodha now had five batteries from three different regiments. On 12 September 135 Battery was moved from Jhelum bridge and joined II Division Artillery, which formation now had four batteries from three different regiments. On 13 September 132 Battery moved from Ravi bridge to north Syphon. Admittedly, some grouping was necessitated by deficiency of anti-aircraft units and some of the moves were dictated by tactical compulsions. Nevertheless the complete hodge-podge obtained by 13 September may be attributed only to lack of foresight. Despite the disruption of command structure the performance of anti- aircraft units was commendable.

In face of Pakistani anti-aircraft artillery, Indian aircraft seldom pressed home their attacks with any degree of precision. Approximately thirty aircraft were shot down during the period of fighting. In terms of cost effectiveness our anti-aircraft artillery units had more than earned their keep.

Anti-Aircraft units by virtue of their role may operate, if necessary as sub-units, as well. However, there is no justification for their commitment in complete disregard of command structure. The intimacy of leadership is an element of strength in the operational performance of any military organization. To eliminate this element is to deprive the unit of that much strength. In 1965 war anti- aircraft units were indeed scattered with almost lunatic abandon. 36 Anti-Aircraft Regiment was initially deployed as follows:- In 1971 anti-aircraft artillery resources consisted of the following : 3 Anti-Aircraft Brigades, responsible for defense of Pakistan Air Force installations and Naval Dockyard at Karachi; Anti-Aircraft units organic to field formations; and Anti-Aircraft Mujahid companies under command logistic areas.

Anti-Aircraft resources were inadequate for the number of installations whose security was necessary to the successful prosecution of war. The air installations, quite rightly, received the highest priority. Next naval dockyards and some important bridges. The oil installations and railway remained largely unprotected. Some were given Mujahid sub- units, whose equipment was defective and whose personnel were mildewed ex-servicemen. From 4 December onwards Indian air attacks were focused on railway engines and oil installations. The anti-aircraft units had mixture of British, American and Chinese equipment. Most of the equipment was of World War II vintage. Despite this handicap anti-aircraft units were employed judicially and fought with gallantry.

2000-2013 GlobalSecurity.org
 
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Towed Howitzers;
in 2007, 12 Turkish 155mm T-155 Panter towed howitzers were delivered and that local assembly has been undertaken in Pakistan at the HIT facility for a further 18 platforms. ammunition for the T-155 is being manufactured domestically by POF under a deal signed in mid-2008 with Nexter munitions of France. additionally, Pakistan has purchased 10 artillery simulators from Turkey, the first of which entered service at the School of Artillery in 2008.

JWA
 
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Supplier....Recipient....Order.....Model............Type........................Ordered....Delivered.....
Turkey.....Pakistan.....12.....Panter 155mm.....Towed gun.....New.....2007.....2008 - 2009.....
Turkey.....Pakistan.....40..... Panter 155mm.....Towed gun.....New.....2009.....2011 - 2012.....
 
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Pakistan Mole Plough is promoted for assault role:


Last posted:
2001-02-07



The Mole Plough was originally developed by Argo Construction to meet the operational requirements of the Pakistan Army for an assault mineclearing device for its main battle tanks (MBTs), including the NORINCO (China North Industries Corporation) Type 59, Type 69 and Type 85-IIAP.

It is now being offered on the export market, together with the Mineclearing Roller System (MCRS) developed by Soofi Defence Industries (Jane's Defence Weekly13 December). The two systems are regarded as complementary.

Argo Construction says the Mole Plough has been designed to be fitted to MBTs to carry out armoured assault across anti-tank minefields under day and night conditions. The company stresses that it is not a breaching plough used by engineers to clear a path for following infantry and armour. As the Mole Plough would be mounted on every tank in the attack, the momentum of the armoured thrust would be maintained without the time-consuming requirement to use specialist engineer vehicles to breach the minefield.

Other types of foreign mineclearing ploughs are often much heavier than the Argo Construction Mole Plough and this can sometimes affect the mobility of the MBT on which it is installed. They are usually used in breaching rather than assault roles.
The Mole Plough can be fitted on any MBT after welding a small base bracket to the front of the chassis. It can be installed on the vehicle manually in about 15 minutes.

Mechanically operated, it does not depend on electric or hydraulic power from the MBT. Except for routine cleaning and greasing, no special maintenance is required. It is rapidly lowered to the ground by the driver from within the vehicle and is returned to the travelling configuration by reversing the MBT a short distance.

The equipment has been designed so that parts damaged by rough terrain or mines can be replaced by the crew and, in an emergency, the complete equipment can be discarded by the tank in about two minutes.

Due to its special knife-edge tines that have been designed for low resistance, MBTs can drive through minefields at tactical speed. The actual speed depends on a number of factors, including the tactics, engine power of the MBT, hardness of the soil and type of terrain.

The Mole Plough has been designed to clear buried and scattered mines laid by air or artillery fire that, using traditional methods, can effectively paralyse any advance or movement. Typically the engineers would follow and widen the path cleared by the Mole Plough.

The Mole Plough is claimed to be capable of clearing all types of pressure mines laid to a depth of 200mm in hard clay and 250mm in desert sand. In order to clear anti-tank mines fitted with a tilt-rod fuze mechanism, a chain mechanism is available. This hangs across the front of the vehicle and detonates the mine before the hull comes into contact with the tilt-rod fuze mechanism.

To detonate anti-tank mines fitted with a magnetic fuze system, special add-on kits are available, according to Argo Construction that would activate the fuze before it came into contact with the MBT.

The weight of the Mole Plough is typically 850kg to 950kg, but this depends on the MBT to which it is fitted and its track width. They are normally 431mm or 635mm wide, each with three tines. When not required, the individual units fold back for travelling.

JDW
 
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TOW 2 Wire-Guided Anti-Tank Missile, United States of America


Key Data
Crew Four TOW 2A Missile Length 1,174mm (1,400mm with probe extended) TOW 2B Missile Length 1,168mm TOW 2A Launch Weight 21.6kg TOW 2B Launch Weight 22.9kg TOW 2A Bunker Buster Launch Weight 28.9kg Missile Diameter 147mm

The BGM-71 TOW wire-guided heavy anti-tank missile is produced by Raytheon Systems Company. The weapon is used in anti-armour, anti-bunker, anti-fortification and anti-amphibious landing roles. TOW is in service with over 40 armed forces and is integrated on over 15,000 ground, vehicle and helicopter platforms worldwide.

TOW 2 missile system development
The TOW missile system has been in service since 1970 with more than 650,000 missiles produced. Current production versions are: TOW 2A (BGM-71E), which entered production in 1987 with over 118,000 missiles delivered; TOW 2B (BGM-71F), which entered production in 1991 with over 40,000 missiles delivered and is designed to complement rather than replace TOW 2A; TOW 2B Aero; and TOW 2A bunker buster (BGM-71H).

A production contract for the new extended-range TOW 2B Aero was awarded by the US Army in February 2004. The contract was for 976 missiles, delivered by December 2006. A US Army contract for more than 2,700 TOW 2B and TOW 2B Aero missiles (including practice rounds) was placed in July 2004. TOW 2B Aero with ITAS has been selected for the US Marine Corps' next-generation AAWS-H (anti-armour weapon system-heavy) programme.

The TOW 2 missile system was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, which constituted the first operational firing of the TOW 2B missile.

TOW 2 missile orders and deliveries
"TOW 2 is used in anti-armour, anti-bunker, anti-fortification and anti-amphibious landing roles."In August 2005, Kuwait requested the sale of 436 (292 TOW 2A, 144 TOW 2B) TOW missiles.

In September 2006, the US Army placed the first production contract, with five one-year options, for the new TOW 2B RF missile, a wireless version.

In October 2007, the US Congress was notified of the proposed sale of 2000 TOW 2A missiles to Pakistan and 2000 TOW 2A missiles to Israel.

In November 2007, Canada placed an order for 462 TOW 2A RF bunker buster missiles, the first export order for this missile variant.

In January 2008, Kuwait requested the sale of 2,106 TOW 2A RF and 1,404 TOW 2B RF missiles.

In September 2008, Egypt requested the sale of 6,900 TOW 2A missiles to replace its ageing inventory.

In July 2010, the US government placed a $55m contract with Raytheon to deliver TOW missiles to Saudi Arabia under a foreign military sales agreement.

Raytheon Technical Services received a $77.9m contract in March 2012 to deliver logistics and engineering support for subsystems and related equipment of the US Army TOW missiles.

In October 2012, Raytheon was awarded a $349m five-year contract to deliver 6,676 new wireless TOW missiles to the US military.

TOW 2 vehicle and air-mounted missile systems
The missiles can be fired from the ground using a tripod-mounted launch tube or installed on vehicles. The TOW missile system can be fitted as a single-tube pedestal mount on military vehicles or as two-tube or four-tube under-armour systems on vehicles such as the improved TOW vehicle M901, Desert Warrior, Piranha, US Marine Corps LAV, Dardo Hitfist and Bradley M2/M3.

Airborne TOW is in service in more than 13 countries. Over 2,100 units have been delivered and helicopters fitted with the TOW missile include the AgustaWestland Lynx, AgustaWestland A129, Bell Textron 206L, UH-1 Huey, Hughes 500MD helicopter, Eurocopter Bo 105 and Bell Textron AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter.

TOW anti-armour missile
The missile has command to line-of-sight guidance. The weapons operator uses a telescopic sight to view a point on the target and then fires the missile. The missile has a two-stage ATK (Alliant Techsystems) solid propellant rocket motor. The operator continues to view and track the target through the sight. Guidance signals from the guidance computer are transmitted along two wires, which spool from the back of the missile to the control system on the missile. The Chandler Evans CACS-2 control system uses differential piston type actuators.

"The TOW missiles can be fired from the ground using a tripod-mounted launch tube."TOW missile warheads are supplied by Aerojet of Sacramento, California, with production facilities in Socorro, New Mexico.

The missile is fitted with a high-intensity thermal beacon, which provides a long-wave infrared tracking source and a xenon beacon for short-wave tracking. This dual-tracking system provides increased resistance to electro-optical and infrared countermeasures.

TOW 2A anti-tank missile
For penetration of tanks protected with explosive reactive armour (ERA), TOW 2A is equipped with a tandem warhead. A small disrupter charge detonates the reactive armour and allows the main shaped charge to penetrate the main armour.

TOW 2A bunker buster missile
A 'bunker buster' variant of the TOW 2A, to defeat field fortifications, bunkers and urban structures, has been developed and fielded by the US Army. The TOW 2A bunker buster has a range of 3,750m. It is scheduled to arm the US Army's anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) variant of the Stryker combat vehicle family.

TOW 2B anti-tank missile
TOW 2B, operates in a 'flyover shoot down' top attack mode, unlike other versions which are direct attack. It features a dual-mode target sensor designed by Thales (formerly Thomson-Thorn) Missile Electronics, which includes laser profilometer and magnetic sensor, and new warhead section, produced by Aerojet.

"The TOW 2 missile system was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom."It resembles the TOW 2A but without the extendible probe, and is armed with two explosively formed tantalum penetrator (EFP) warheads. The EFP warheads detonate simultaneously, one pointing downwards, the other slightly offset to give an increased hit probability. The warhead material is designed to generate pyrophoric effects within the damaged target.

TOW 2B Aero anti-tank missile
An extended range TOW 2B missile, TOW 2B Aero, has a range of 4.5km, which is achieved in only a few seconds longer than the flight time of TOW 2B to 3.75km.

Two modifications are made to the TOW 2B. A longer wire is required for the longer range and a new aerodynamic nose has been fitted to allow stable, controllable flight to the extended range, while using the current propulsion system.

TOW 2B RF anti-tank missile
Another development of the TOW 2B Aero, the wireless TOW 2B RF is in production. TOW 2B RF is modified with a one-way, stealthy radio-frequency command link which dispenses with the wire link and gives a range of 4.5km. The system is compatible with current launchers.

ITAS improved target acquisition system
In 1999, Raytheon Company was awarded a US Army full rate production contract for the TOW improved target acquisition system (ITAS) for the HMMWV launcher and the ground mounted TOW. ITAS uses a thermal imager based on a standard advanced dewar assembly (SADA II) focal plane array, eyesafe laser rangefinder, and a gunner-aided target tracker. ITAS improves target recognition range performance and hit probability.

"The TOW missile has command to line-of-sight guidance."Between 1999 and 2003, the US Army procured 709 ITAS systems.

In April 2005, a contract for the resumption of system production was awarded. The system has been fielded in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. ITAS has also been bought by Canada for new LAV III vehicles armed with TOW missiles.

TOW FF fire-and-forget missile
In September 2000, the US Army awarded an EMD (engineering and manufacturing development) contract for a wireless TOW fire and forget missile to Raytheon Systems Company. However the US Army cancelled the project in 2002.

TOW FF was to have an advanced imaging infrared staring focal plane array seeker.

Elevated TOW anti-tank missile
An elevated TOW system (ETS) has been developed by an international consortium consisting of Raytheon, GM Delco, Indra of Spain, and E.Falck Schmidt of Denmark.

The system, based on a Danish M113 armoured personnel carrier, uses an elevating mast fitted with a pod containing a lightweight launcher and four TOW launch tubes. In August 1999, the ETS successfully completed demonstration firing tests at the Danish Army Training Centre in Denmark.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Global Missiles and Missile Defence Systems Market 2011-2021

This project forms part of our recent analysis and forecasts of the global missiles and missile defence systems market available from our business information platform Strategic Defence Intelligence. For more information click here or contact us: EMEA: +44 20 7936 6783; Americas: +1 415 439 4914; Asia Pacific: +61 2 9947 9709 or via email.
 
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What type of grenade launchers does PA use?
 
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Pakistan Mole Plough is promoted for assault role:


Last posted:
2001-02-07



The Mole Plough was originally developed by Argo Construction to meet the operational requirements of the Pakistan Army for an assault mineclearing device for its main battle tanks (MBTs), including the NORINCO (China North Industries Corporation) Type 59, Type 69 and Type 85-IIAP.

It is now being offered on the export market, together with the Mineclearing Roller System (MCRS) developed by Soofi Defence Industries (Jane's Defence Weekly13 December). The two systems are regarded as complementary.

Argo Construction says the Mole Plough has been designed to be fitted to MBTs to carry out armoured assault across anti-tank minefields under day and night conditions. The company stresses that it is not a breaching plough used by engineers to clear a path for following infantry and armour. As the Mole Plough would be mounted on every tank in the attack, the momentum of the armoured thrust would be maintained without the time-consuming requirement to use specialist engineer vehicles to breach the minefield.

Other types of foreign mineclearing ploughs are often much heavier than the Argo Construction Mole Plough and this can sometimes affect the mobility of the MBT on which it is installed. They are usually used in breaching rather than assault roles.
The Mole Plough can be fitted on any MBT after welding a small base bracket to the front of the chassis. It can be installed on the vehicle manually in about 15 minutes.

Mechanically operated, it does not depend on electric or hydraulic power from the MBT. Except for routine cleaning and greasing, no special maintenance is required. It is rapidly lowered to the ground by the driver from within the vehicle and is returned to the travelling configuration by reversing the MBT a short distance.

The equipment has been designed so that parts damaged by rough terrain or mines can be replaced by the crew and, in an emergency, the complete equipment can be discarded by the tank in about two minutes.

Due to its special knife-edge tines that have been designed for low resistance, MBTs can drive through minefields at tactical speed. The actual speed depends on a number of factors, including the tactics, engine power of the MBT, hardness of the soil and type of terrain.

The Mole Plough has been designed to clear buried and scattered mines laid by air or artillery fire that, using traditional methods, can effectively paralyse any advance or movement. Typically the engineers would follow and widen the path cleared by the Mole Plough.

The Mole Plough is claimed to be capable of clearing all types of pressure mines laid to a depth of 200mm in hard clay and 250mm in desert sand. In order to clear anti-tank mines fitted with a tilt-rod fuze mechanism, a chain mechanism is available. This hangs across the front of the vehicle and detonates the mine before the hull comes into contact with the tilt-rod fuze mechanism.

To detonate anti-tank mines fitted with a magnetic fuze system, special add-on kits are available, according to Argo Construction that would activate the fuze before it came into contact with the MBT.

The weight of the Mole Plough is typically 850kg to 950kg, but this depends on the MBT to which it is fitted and its track width. They are normally 431mm or 635mm wide, each with three tines. When not required, the individual units fold back for travelling.

JDW

Soofi Defence Industries provided NVGs in the past aswell... but i couldnt find much abt this company... any info sir?
 
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To whom it may concern. Some Mine Protection Vehicles are being transferred to karachi. I saw more than 3 trailer trucks carrying them and yes they look awesome ;)
 
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FIM-92 Stinger MANPADS man-portable surface-to-air missile system



Description

The FIM-92 Stinger is a man-portable surface-to-air missile system (MANPADS) which was designed and manufactured by the American Defense Industry. The Stinger was the successor to the Redeye Weapon System, the Stinger missile provides forward, short-range air defense against low-altitude airborne targets. The system enters in service with the U.S. Army in 1981. Used currently by the United States armed forces and 29 other countries, it is manufactured by Raytheon Missile Systems and under license by EADS in Germany. The Stinger Weapon System provides superior air defense for today's highly mobile forces. Stinger has been combat proven in four major conflicts and has over 270 fixed wing and rotary wing kills to its credit. Stinger-RMP is a lightweight, self-contained air defense system that can be rapidly deployed on military platforms in any combat situation.

Stinger-RMP (Reprogrammable Microprocessor) missiles are used interchangeable, on helicopters for air-to-air self-defense teams for surface-to-air engagements. Immediately after launch, the gunner is free to take cover to engage additional targets, thereby maximizing his survivability and combat effectiveness..

Variants

- STINGER-Passive Optical Seeker Technique (POST)
- STINGER-Reprogrammable Microprocessor (RMP).


Technical Data

Launch unit
The FIM-92 Stinger missile launch unit contains the AIM-92 missile. The Stinger weapon round is shipped from the ammunition supply point in a crush resistant, hardened, reusable aluminum box. It is certified for immediate firing. This box is called the weapon round container, but is more commonly referred to as a mono box. Stinger rounds are packaged in a thin, woodsided box surrounding a foam insert in which the missile is packed. The boxes are known as “lettuce crates” because of their similarity to produce boxes. The Stinger weapon round consists of a missile round, a separable gripstock assembly, and up to three battery coolant units (BCUs). The gripstocks are shipped separately from the missile to enhance security during shipping.


Missile
The "fire-and-forget" Stinger FIM-92 missile employs a passive infrared seeker to home in on its airborne target. A passive infrared seeker emits no radiation that a target aircraft can detect, and, instead, guides on the infrared energy (heat) emitted by the target. Because the Stinger employs a passive homing seeker, it is a "fire-and-forget" weapon that needs no guidance from the operator after firing, unlike other missiles that track the reflection of a designator beam, requiring the operator to maintain a lock on the target. This allows a Stinger operator to take cover, relocate, or engage other targets immediately after firing a Stinger. The missile is 1.52 m long and 70 mm in diameter with 10 cm fins. The missile itself weighs 10.1 kg while the missile with launcher weighs approximately 15.2 kg. The Stinger is launched by a small ejection motor that pushes it a safe distance from the operator before engaging the main two-stage solid-fuel sustainer, which accelerates it to a maximum speed of Mach 2.2 (750 m/s). The warhead is a 3 kg penetrating hit-to-kill warhead type with an impact fuze and a self-destruct timer.

The warhead section consists of a fuze assembly and the equivalent of one pound of high explosives encased in a pyrophoric titanium cylinder. The fuze is extremely safe and makes the missile exempt from any hazards of electromagnetic radiation to ordnance conditions. The warhead can be detonated by penetrating the target, impacting the target, or self-destruction. Self-destruction occurs 15 to 19 seconds after launch.


Accessories
The AN/PAS-18 is a rugged, lightweight thermal imaging sight that mounts on the Stinger weapon round to provide a 24-hour mission capability. The unit is designed to detect both fixed-wing and rotarywing aircraft beyond the maximum range of the Stinger missile. The primary function of the AN/PAS-18 is to enhance the operation of the Stinger missile system. It operates in the same region of the electromagnetic spectrum as the Stinger missile and detects any infrared source the missile can detect.

This capability also allows a secondary function of night area surveillance. Operating passively in the infrared spectrum, the AN/PAS-18 allows the gunner to perform target acquisition and weapon firing during total darkness and under reduced visibility conditions (e.g., fog, dust, and smoke). In a clear sky environment, day or night, the AN/PAS-18 can detect fixed-wing aircraft at high altitude in a tail aspect to the horizon. In optimal conditions, detection can be in excess of 20 to 30 kilometers. The AN/PAS-18 is least effective in detecting fixed-wing aircraft at low altitude coming directly toward the operator. As the exhaust plume is hidden by the body of the aircraft, the aircraft may not be detected until it is within 8 to 10 kilometers of the operator. The detection range increases when an aircraft’s aspect changes, providing a view of the plume (side aspect to rear aspect).

The AN/PAS-18 has a 12 by 20° field of view. It is ready for operation within 10 seconds of powering up. The receiver is powered by a lithium battery that provides 6 to 12 hours of battery life. The AN/PAS-18 is a second generation night vision device and does not have the resolution to make aircraft identification determinations. Due to bulk of the device, long periods of searching and scanning should be avoided. The weight of the night sight and the missile reduces the time a gunner can shoulder the weapon.

Combat use
Light to carry and easy to operate, the FIM-92 Stinger is a passive surface-to-air missile, shoulder-fired by a single operator, although officially it requires two. The FIM-92B missile can also be fired from the M-1097 Avenger and M6 Linebacker. The missile is also capable of being deployed from a Humvee Stinger rack, and can be used by paratroopers. A helicopter launched version exists called Air-to-Air Stinger (ATAS). To fire the weapon, the soldier aims the missile at the target. When the seeker locks on, it makes a distinctive noise. The Stinger missile can hit targets flying as high as 3,500 m, and has a range of around 8 km. Stinger missiles use passive IR/UV sensors. The missiles look for the infrared light (heat) produced by the target airplane's engines and track the airplane by following that light. The missiles also identify the UV "shadow" of the target and use that identification to distinguish the target from other heat-producing objects.

Specifications

Type
Man portable surface-to-air missile system (MANPADS)

Country users
Bangladesh, Chad, Chile, Denmark, Germany, Greece, India, Iraq, Israel, Italy, japan, Lithuania, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom, United Sttaes

Designer country
United States

Missile
Infrared homing surface-to-air missile

Operators - 2 soldiers

Size missile
Length: 1.52m
Diameter: 140mm
Weight missile
10.1 kg

Range
1,000 to 8,000 m maximum

Weight launch unit
15.2 kg

Altitude
3,000 m

army recognition guide.
 
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