• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

	Director, Operational Test & Evaluation
FY97 Annual Report

STINGER MISSILE UPGRADES

	Army Program (OSD Oversight) 1060 systems Total program cost (TY$) $7281M Average unit cost (TY$) $6M Full-rate production 3QFY94 Prime Contractor Hughes Missile System Company

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION & CONTRIBUTION TO JOINT VISION 2010

The Stinger missile, a full-dimensional protection weapon, is the Army's system for short-range air defense that provides the ground maneuver commander force protection against low-altitude airborne targets such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, and cruise missiles. The Stinger is launched from a number of platforms: Bradley Stinger Fighting Vehicle, Bradley Linebacker, Avenger (HMMWV), and helicopters as well as Man Portable Air Defense (MANPADS).

There are two upgrades to the Stinger-RMP (reprogrammable microprocessor) missile to correct known operational deficiencies. The first upgrade, called Stinger-RMP Block I, makes software and hardware changes, including a new roll frequency sensor, a small battery, and an improved computer processor and memory. The second upgrade, Stinger-RMP Block II, improves both hardware and software, including an advanced imaging focal plane array, roll frequency sensor, new battery, signal processing, and advanced software.

Operational deficiencies were discovered during testing of the Stinger-RMP missile in the late 1980s. The Secretary of Defense directed the Army to correct the deficiencies and then operationally test the fixes. The proposed operational test, which consisted of 24 missile firings, was approved by DOT&E via the TEMP in 1991.

The Stinger-RMP missile test program was suspended during OPERATION DESERT STORM, and the missile was rushed into the field in preparation for war. After the war, the Army proposed a two-phased upgrade program, Stinger-RMP Block I and Stinger-RMP Block II. The Stinger-RMP Block I missile consisted of hardware and software modifications, which address some of the observed operational deficiencies. The Stinger-RMP Block II will address remaining operational issues.

The Army proposes to field more than 10,000 Stinger-RMP Block I missiles that will remain in the inventory until at least 2014. There are plans to produce approximately 9,500 Stinger-RMP Block II missiles. The Milestone III decision to authorize production of the Stinger-RMP Block II missiles in 2004 is to be supported by operational testing. The last approved TEMP is dated 1 March 1991. Fifteen Test events have occurred between 1993-1996 to verify Stinger-RMP Block I hardware and software improvements. A TEMP revision dated January 27, 1995 was not approved by OSD.

Several Stinger-RMP Block I missiles were fired in May 1997 at Fort Bliss, Texas, as part of the test program. The missile firings were technical tests (developmental testing) intended to closely replicate an operational environment given range safety constraints.

Stinger does not have an approved operational test program. All missile firings have been technical and developmental in nature. There has been no operational testing of Stinger-RMP Block I missiles. OPTEC is preparing an Abbreviated Operational Assessment of the Stinger-RMP Block I missile, based on the developmental test data. This report will be reviewed, along with its supporting data, to judge the adequacy of the Stinger-RMP Block I testing and will be reported in next year's annual report. This will heavily influence the development of the test program for Stinger-RMP Block II which is currently under discussion with the Army.