![]() ![]() ![]() The replacement FIM-92C began development in 1984, and production began in 1987. Production of both the A and B types ended in 1987 with around 16,000 missiles produced. An improved Stinger with a new seeker, the FIM-92B, was produced from 1983 alongside the FIM-92A. ![]() ![]() Because of technical difficulties that dogged testing, the first shoulder launch was not until mid-1975. Army in 1971 and designated FIM-92 the Stinger appellation was chosen in 1972. The program was accepted for further development as Redeye II by the U.S. Production of the Redeye ran from 1969 to 1982, with a total production of around 85,000 missiles. The missile began as a program by General Dynamics to produce an improved variant of their 1967 FIM-43 Redeye. Since the downloaded code runs from RAM, there is little space to spare, particularly for processors dedicated to seeker input processing and target analysis.Ĥ Stinger missiles on a Dutch Army Fennek reconnaissance vehicle. The four-processor RMP has 4 KB of RAM for each processor. If this download to the missile fails during power-up, basic functionality runs off the onboard ROM. The Stinger-RMP is so-called because of its ability to load a new set of software via ROM chip inserted in the grip at the depot. While modern flares can have an IR signature that is closely matched to the launching aircraft's engine exhaust, there is a readily distinguishable difference in UV signature between flares and jet engines. This allows it to distinguish targets from countermeasures much better than the Redeye and FIM-92A, which have IR-only. The POST and RMP variants have a dual-detector seeker: IR and UV. These correspond to the FIM-92A, FIM-92B, and FIM-92C and later variants respectively. There are three main variants in use: the Stinger Basic, Stinger-Passive Optical Seeker Technique (POST), and Stinger-Reprogrammable Microprocessor (RMP). Guidance to the target is initially through proportional navigation, then switches to another mode that directs the missile towards the target airframe instead of its exhaust plume. The IFF system receives power from a rechargeable battery which is part of the IFF interrogator box which plugs into the base of the gripstock's pistol grip. The BCUs are somewhat sensitive to abuse, and have a limited shelf life due to argon leakage. This device consists of a supply of high-pressure gaseous argon which is injected into the seeker to cryogenically cool it to operating temperature, and a thermal battery which provides power for target acquisition: a single BCU provides power and coolant for roughly 45 seconds, after which another must be inserted if the missile has not been fired. To fire the missile, a BCU (Battery Coolant Unit) is inserted into the gripstock. The warhead contains 1.02 kg (2.25 lb) of HTA-3 (a mix of HMX, TNT, and aluminium powder) explosive with an impact fuze and a self-destruct timer that functions 17 seconds after launch. 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 2.54 (750 m/s). It has a targeting range of up to 4,800 m and can engage low altitude enemy threats at up to 3,800 m. The missile itself weighs 22 lb (10.1 kg), while the missile with its launch tube and integral sight, fitted with a gripstock and Identification friend or foe (IFF) antenna, weighs approximately 34 lb (15.2 kg). A helicopter launched version exists called Air-to-Air Stinger (ATAS). The missile is also capable of being deployed from a Humvee Stinger rack, and can be used by airborne troops. The FIM-92B missile can also be fired from the M1097 Avenger and the M6 Linebacker. The Stinger was intended to supplant the FIM-43 Redeye system, the principal difference being that, unlike the Redeye, the Stinger can acquire the target from head-on, giving much more time to acquire and destroy the target. The FIM-92 Stinger is a passive surface-to-air missile that can be shoulder-fired by a single operator (although standard military procedure calls for two operators, team chief and gunner). JSTOR ( March 2013) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message).Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. This article needs additional citations for verification. ![]()
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