MANPADS "Stinger": characteristics and comparison with analogues

Among modern weapons widely used in local conflicts, an important role is played by MANPADS. They are widely used as armies of various states, and terrorist organizations in the fight against air targets. The real standard of this type of weapon is the American MANPADS "Stinger".

History of creation and implementation

MANPADS "Stinger" was designed and manufactured in the American corporation General Dynamics. The beginning of work on this system of weapons dates back to 1967. In 1971, the concept of MANPADS was approved by the US Army and adopted as a prototype for further improvement under the FIM-92 index. In the following year, its commonly used name "Stinger" was adopted, which in translation from English. Means "sting".

Due to technical difficulties, the first real rocket launches from this complex took place only in mid-1975. The serial production of MANPADS "Stinger" began in 1978 with the aim of replacing the obsolete MANPADS of the FIM-43 Red Eye, manufactured since 1968.

In addition to the basic model, more than a dozen different modifications of this weapon were developed and produced.

Prevalence in the world

As noted above, MANPADS "Stinger" became the successor of the MANPADS system "Red Eye". Its missiles are an effective means of combating low-altitude air targets. Currently, this type of complexes are used by the United States Armed Forces and 29 other countries, they are manufactured by Raytheon Missile Systems and under license from EADS in Germany. The "Stinger" weapon system provides reliable anti-aircraft defense for modern land mobile military units. Its combat effectiveness was proven in four major conflicts, in which more than 270 combat aircraft and helicopters were destroyed with its help.

Purpose and characteristics

The considered MANPADS are light, autonomous air defense systems that can be deployed on military platforms in any combat situation. For what purposes can MANPADS "Stinger" be used? The characteristics of missiles controlled by reprogrammable microprocessors allow using them both for starting from helicopters in the air-to-air mode to combat air targets and for air-to-air defense. Immediately after the launch, the gunner can freely take cover, so as not to fall under reciprocal fire, thereby achieving its safety and combat effectiveness.

The rocket has a length of 1.52 m and a diameter of 70 mm with four aerodynamic rudders 10 cm high (two of them are pivoting and two are stationary) in the bow. It weighs 10.1 kg, while the weight of the rocket with the launcher is about 15.2 kg.

Options MANPADS "Stinger"

- FIM-92A: the first version.

- FIM - 92C: rocket with reprogrammable microprocessor. The effect of external interference was offset by the addition of more powerful digital computer components. In addition, the missile software has now been reconfigured in such a way that in a short time to respond quickly and effectively to new types of countermeasures (interference and false targets). Before 1991, about 20,000 units were produced for the US Army alone.

- FIM-92D: various modifications have been used in this version in order to increase immunity to interference.

- FIM-92E: a rocket with a reprogrammable Block I microprocessor. The addition of a new rollover sensor, software revision and control resulted in a significant improvement in missile flight control. In addition, the effectiveness of the defeat of small targets, such as drones, cruise missiles and light reconnaissance helicopters, has been improved. The first deliveries began in 1995. Almost the entire stock of Stinger missiles in the United States was replaced with this version.

- FIM-92F: further improvement of the E-version and version of the current production.

- FIM - 92G: unspecified update for option D.

- FIM-92H: D-variant, improved to the level of the E-version.

- FIM-92I: a rocket with a reprogrammable microprocessor Block II. This option was planned on the basis of version E. The improvements included an infrared homing head. In this modification, the target detection distance and the interference overcome ability were significantly increased. In addition, changes in the design can significantly increase the range. Although the work reached the testing stage, the program was discontinued in 2002 for budgetary reasons.

- FIM-92J: Missiles with reprogrammable Block I microprocessor have updated the obsolete components to extend the service life by another 10 years. The warhead is also equipped with a non-contact fuze to increase efficiency against unmanned aerial vehicles.

ADSM, air defense suppression: option with an additional passive radar homing head, this option can also be used against radar installations.

Method of launching a rocket

The US SALW "Stinger" (FIM-92) contains an AIM-92 missile, encased in a shock-resistant rigid reusable launch canister. From both ends it is closed with lids. The front of them passes infrared and ultraviolet radiation, which is analyzed by the homing head. At start-up this lid is broken by a rocket. The back cover of the container is destroyed by a stream of gases from the starting accelerator. Due to the fact that the nozzles of the accelerator are located at an inclination with respect to the axis of the rocket, it acquires a rotational motion when it leaves the launch container . After the rocket leaves the container, four stabilizers are opened in its tail part, which are located at an angle to the body. Due to this, a torque acts on its axis in flight.

After the missile has departed to a distance of 8 m from the operator, the launch accelerator is separated from it and a two-stage propulsion engine is launched. It accelerates the missile to a speed of 2.2M (750 m / s) and maintains it throughout the flight.

The method of targeting and detonating a rocket

Let's continue to consider the most famous US MANPADS. "Stinger" uses a passive infrared searcher for air targets. It does not emit radiation that aircraft can detect, but instead fixes the infrared energy (heat) emitted by the air target. Since MANPADS "Stinger" operates in the mode of passive homing, this weapon corresponds to the principle of "shot and forget", which does not require any instructions from the operator after the shot, unlike other missiles that need to adjust their trajectory from the ground. This allows the operator "Stinger" to proceed to defeat other targets immediately after the shot.

A high-explosive warhead has a weight of 3 kg with an impact type detonator and a self-destruct timer. The warhead consists of an infrared sensor-target searcher, fuse section and one pound of blasting explosives, enclosed in a pyrophoric titanium cylinder. The detonator is extremely safe and does not allow to undermine the rocket by any kind of electromagnetic radiation in combat conditions. Warheads can be detonated only when collided with a target or due to self-destruction, which occurs after a time of 15 to 19 seconds after launch.

New sighting device

The latest versions of MANPADS are equipped with a standard AN / PAS-18 sight. This is a rugged, lightweight thermal imaging sight that is attached to the launch canister, enabling the missile to be launched at any time of the day. The device is designed to detect aircraft and helicopters outside the maximum range of the missile.

The main function of AN / PAS-18 is to increase the effectiveness of MANPADS. It operates in the same range of electromagnetic spectrum as the infrared seeker of a rocket, and detects any sources of infrared radiation that a rocket can detect. This feature also allows for the provision of auxiliary night surveillance functions. Working passively in the infrared spectrum, the AN / PAS-18 allows the gunner to give target designations to fire from MANPADS in total darkness and in conditions of reduced visibility (eg, fog, dust and smoke). Day or night, AN / PAS-18 can detect aircraft at high altitude. Under optimal conditions, detection can be at a distance of 20 to 30 kilometers. AN / PAS-18 is the least effective in detecting aircraft at low altitude flying directly toward the operator. When the tail of the exhaust is hidden by the hull of the aircraft, it can not be detected, as long as it is outside the zone 8-10 kilometers from the operator. The detection range increases when the aircraft changes the direction of flight, ensuring the display of its own exhaust. AN / PAS-18 is ready for use within 10 seconds after power-up. It is powered by a lithium battery, which provides 6-12 hours of battery life. AN / PAS-18 is an auxiliary night vision device and does not have the resolution necessary to identify the aircraft.

Combat application

In preparation for the application to the launch canister with the help of special locks, a trigger is attached to which the power supply is pre-installed. It is connected to the battery by means of a cable with a plug-in connector . In addition, a balloon with a liquid inert gas is connected to the missile's on-board network through a choke. Another useful device is the unit of identification of targets by the system "own-alien" (IFF). The antenna of this system, which has a very characteristic "latticed" appearance, is also attached to the trigger mechanism.

How many people do you need to launch a missile from the Stinger missile system? Its characteristics allow it to be done by one operator, although two people are required for its maintenance. The second number is monitoring the airspace. When the target is detected, the operator-arrows puts the complex on the shoulder and guides it to the target. When it is captured by the infrared seeker of the rocket, a sound and vibration signal is applied, after which the operator pressing the special button must disengage the gyrostabilized platform, which in flight maintains an unchanged position relative to the ground, providing control of the instantaneous position of the rocket. Then, pressing the trigger hook, then the liquid inert gas to cool the infrared seeker comes from the cylinder to the side of the rocket, its onboard battery is started up, the tear-off plug of the power supply is turned off and the start-up accelerator pyro cartridge is turned on.

How far does Stinger shoot?

The shooting range of the Stinger MRI is 3,500 m in height. The missile is looking for infrared light (heat) produced by the target aircraft and traces the aircraft following this infrared source. The missiles also determine the ultraviolet "shadow" of the target object and use it to isolate the target against the background of other objects generating heat.

Range of MANPADS "Stinger" after the target has a wide range for its different versions. So, for the basic version, the maximum range is 4750 m, and for the FIM-92E version it reaches up to 8 km.

TTX MANPADS "Stinger"

The Russian MANPADS "Igla"

It is of interest to compare the characteristics of MANPADS "Stinger" and "Igla-S", adopted by the Russian army in 2001. The photo below shows the shot from the Igla-S missile system.

Both complexes have similar missile weights: Stinger has 10, 1 kg, and Needle-S has 11.7, although the Russian rocket is 135 mm longer. But the diameter of the hull of both missiles is very close: 70 and 72 mm respectively. Both are capable of hitting targets at an altitude of up to 3,500 m by infrared homing warheads of approximately the same weight.

And how similar are the other characteristics of MANPADS "Stinger" and "Needle"? Comparison of them shows an approximate parity of opportunities, which once again proves that the level of even Soviet defense developments may well be raised in Russia to the best foreign weapons.