During a recent Army test, a pair of Raytheon Stinger anti-air missiles equipped with new proximity fuzes intercepted two small unmanned airborne systems—an MQM-170C Outlaw and an unidentified smaller system—for the first time.
A proximity fuze is a fuze that detonates an explosive device automatically when the distance to the target becomes smaller than a predetermined value. Proximity fuzes provide a more sophisticated trigger mechanism than the common contact fuze or timed fuze.
The Stinger weapon system is a lightweight, self-contained air defense system that can be rapidly deployed by ground troops and on military platforms. It is combat proven in four major conflicts and is now deployed in more than 18 nations and with all four U.S. military services.
(See a Stinger Missile Target Shooting Live Fire. Courtesy of Raytheon, the U.S. Marines, William Frasier and YouTube)
Stinger- Reprogrammable Microprocessor (RMP) maintains a greater than 90 percent success rate in reliability and training tests against advanced threat targets.
The combination of supersonic speed, agility and a highly accurate guidance and control system gives Stinger the operational edge against cruise missiles and all classes of aircraft.
A lightweight, self-contained air defense system, Stinger RMP can be rapidly deployed by ground troops and on military platforms. This missile is also used on Apache helicopters for air-to-air engagements.
“Stingers are usually loaded with direct impact warheads, which is appropriate for larger targets such as cruise missiles and aircraft,” said Kim Ernzen, vice president of Raytheon’s Land Warfare Systems product line.
“The new proximity fuze gives ground forces the ability to engage small, elusive targets using a proven, familiar system.”
U.S. and coalition partners deploy Stinger in multiple configurations, including man-portable, helicopter air-to-air, and ground-based vehicle applications.
Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5ITM products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries.
