The Avenger low-altitude air defense system, designated AN/TWQ-1, is a top-class, highly mobile air defense weapon of the US army
armed with powerful firepower with 8 FIM-92 Stinger surface-to-air missiles in 2 missile launcher pods
This is a self-propelled surface-to-air missile system which provides short-range air defense protection for ground units against cruise missiles
unmanned aerial vehicles, low-flying fixed-wing aircraft, and helicopters
Currently the Avenger is being used by the US Army, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Taiwan, and Chile
It is a relatively cost-effective system that builds on the existing HUMVEE chassis, and retains most of the features of its class
The Stinger missile on the other hand is a proven system
A typical Avenger crew consists of a driver and a gunner
Development commenced in the early 1980s. First production systems entered service with the US Army in 1990
A total of 1,800 of these air defense systems were built. Around 950 systems are still operational
The main firepower is eight Raytheon Stinger short range air defense missiles in two launch pods mounted either side of the turret
The secondary weapon is a .50 calibre M3P automatic machine gun to cover the missile dead zone and engage ground targets
The turret can also be deployed as a fixed stand-alone unit, which can operate in day/night in all weather conditions
The FIM-92 Stinger is a two-stage solid fuel self-homing missile with infra-red guidance
It is a fire-and-forget type weapon. It has a maximum speed of Mach 2.2 and is fitted with HE-FRAG warhead
Maximum range of fire is from 4 to 8 km and maximum altitude is 3.5 to 3.8 km
Vehicle is fitted with a central tyre inflation system
Avenger can be airlifted by C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft, or carried underslung by UH-60, CH-46, CH-47 and CH-53 helicopters
Some variants of the Avenger were proposed, fitted with Starstreak
Mistral, RBS 70 or Javelin missiles.
When utilized in conjunction with the Avenger
ground forces have a competent umbrella of protection at both short and medium ranges from incoming enemy attacks.