Surface to Air Missiles - United States

FIM-43A Redeye

The Redeye was the first missile based Man Portable Air Defence System to enter service in the world. Starting from 1965 the first missiles were delivered to the US Army with the system becoming operational in 1968. The missile featured a cooled IR seeker which, while sophisticated than the intial uncooled head on the Soviet Strela2 (SA-7), was susceptible to decoy by flares. The low sensitivity of the seeker limited the missile to tail chase engagements, tracking on the aircrafts exhaust. With only a small speed advantage against most of its target aircraft this limited effectiveness of the system. It also meant that the aircraft had probably already already completed its attack run. A kill was good in the broad scheme of things but not much help to your buddies who had been in the next hole over. Missile range is about 2nm with a service ceiling of about 2700m. The Redeye was replaced in US service by the FIM-92 Stinger from about 1982.

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FIM-92 Stinger

Initially conceived as an improved Redeye (dubbed Redeye II) the Stinger came into being officially in 1972. The new missile introduced a new more sensitive seeker head and a better kinematic performance, compared to its predecessor, with the addition of a forward aspect engagement capability to its flight envelope and an integral IFF system. The initial Basic Stinger became operational in US service 1981. Two years later procurement began of a new version with a microprocessor-controlled Passive Optical Seeker Technique (POST) homing head which uses a dual Infra-Red (IR) and Ultra-Violet (UV) rosette-pattern image scanning guidance technique to enhance the missile's target detection capabilities. The use of the different seeker only involves a modular change to the weapon and allows it to discriminate effectively between a target, any deployed IR decoy flares and background clutter, when they lie within detectable range, thus preventing a false launch. Limited procurement of this FIM-92B Stinger-POST version began in 1983 alongside the earlier variant with the production of both ending in 1987. Operational deployment of Stinger-POST systems to the US Army began in July 1987. A total of 15,669 Basic Stinger and just under 600 Stinger-POST missiles were made. The last Stinger-POST rounds were produced by August 1987.

As a further increase to the effectiveness of Stinger, General Dynamics began development in September 1984 of what is essentially a fourth-generation man-portable SAM system. Known as the Stinger-Reprogrammable MicroProcessor (RMP) system, the change allows the onboard digital microprocessor to be periodically updated with new software to counter any new threat technology, instead of having to go through a missile redesign each time. Production of this FIM-92C model began in November 1987. The export version of the Stinger-RMP does not have the reprogrammable module but contains embedded Infra-Red CounterMeasures (IRCM) to defeat all known NATO threats. In 1992, an upgrade contract was placed to improve the FIM-92A/B/C performance against the latest countermeasures. Known as the FIM-92D Block 1 rounds, modifications were made to the RMP software to see its low-signature targets such as UAVs, cruise missiles and light helicopters in even more cluttered countermeasures environments. A ring-laser gyro roll sensor and a lithium battery are also fitted. First production deliveries were made of the Stinger Block 1 rounds in 1995. The programme involved upgrading all the remaining FIM-92A and FIM-92B missiles in the inventory to the standard of FIM-92D, involving up to 8,500 rounds plus. Plans are also under way to develop and produce Advanced Stinger (Block 2) from the year 2001 onwards. The Block 2 is an evolutionary technology insertion which will provide for the replacement of the current FIM-92D seeker with an advanced technology Focal Plane Array (FPA) imaging IR seeker, known as the Small Diameter Imaging Seeker (SDIS), to increase the detection range. This is due to enter service in 2004.

The Basic Stinger received worldwide attention during the Afghanistan conflict, when over 250 Russian fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters were destroyed by Mujahideen guerrillas using US-supplied Stingers. Despite limited training, the Mujahideen achieved over 80 per cent combat success with the Stinger missile. To date, the Basic Stinger has been responsible for 270 confirmed kills against both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft types.
Other nations which have received varying numbers of Stinger systems include Bahrain, Chad, France, Germany, Iran, Israel, Japan, the Netherlands, South Korea, Switzerland, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. Of these, France and Chad have used limited numbers successfully against Libyan aircraft during the 1986-87 border skirmishes. The British Special Air Service (SAS) used a small number of FIM-92A Stingers during the 1982 Falklands (Malvinas) conflict, where they destroyed an Argentine Air Force FMA IA 58A Pucara twin-propeller close-support aircraft during the 21 May San Carlos amphibious landings.

Missile performance figures include range of about 2.1 nm for basic Stinger FIM-92A increased to about 2.4nm for the later FIM-92B and C with engagement altitudes up to around 3800m. In service Stinger missiles are deployed to ground units with the US Army and US Marine Corp, as short range defence for US military bases and facilities and to protect long range SAM systems from close range, low level attack. The Stinger is also the missile employed by the mounted Linebacker AD/Avenger/LAV-AD SHORADs.

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Linebacker AD/Avenger/LAV-AD

The US Army and Marine Corps deploy a number of Short Range Air Defence Systems based on the Stinger missile. Both services employ the Avenger system. This mounts an electric drive turret with eight ready to fire missiles on the rear of an extended wheel base HMMWV. Easily deployed thanks to its lightweight and compact dimensions the Avenger has been acquired in large numbers. The Avenger entered US Army service in 1989.

As well as the Avenger both the US Army and Marine Corps have acquired systems specifically designed to support their heavy field forces. The US Army's M6 Linebacker is built upon that services M2A2 Bradley Infantry Combat Vehicle. The standard Bradley's turret mounted TOW ATGM launcher is replaced by a launcher with four ready to fire Stinger missiles. Six reloads are carried in the vehicle as are the Avenger Air Defense system hardware and software. The first of 99 kits for the conversion of M2A2 vehicles were delivered in 1997. All Bradley Linebacker systems are deployed with the Third Infantry Division.

The USMC Corps has acquired 17 LAV-AD vehicles to provide air defence for its Light Armoured Vehicle battalions. The system consists of the Blazer air defence turret, installed on a modified LAV-25 vehicle. The LAV-AD 8 x 8 wheeled vehicle has all-terrain and amphibious mobility. The Blazer turret for the LAV-AD includes two air defence weapons: the GAU-12/U 25mm Gatling gun and two four-Stinger surface-to-air missile launcher pods. The gun and missile combination provides quick and decisive reaction to close-in, low-flying air threats. The turret is all-electric driven and is controlled by either of two turret operators, the commander and the gunner. A stabilisation system is fitted for fire on the move capability. Deliveries were completed in 1999.

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M-48 Chaparral

The M-48 Chaparral was the US Army's low level Forward Area Air Defence System from its inception in the late 1960s until its withdrawal from service in 1997. The system was never intended to have such a long life. In fact it only came into being as a stop gap following the cancellation of the troubled Mauler missile. The original M-48 was built around the AIM-9C Sidewinder, modified for ground launch and given the designation MIM-72A Chaparral. Four missiles were mounted on a manually tracked launcher which is carried on the rear of a M730 (modified M548, itself a modified M113 APC chassis) tracked vehicle. In the 1970s the system saw the introduction of the new MIM-72C missile that featured the improved seeker head of the AIM-9L AAM and a heavier warhead. Chaparral was to be replaced in the US Army service by the Roland SAM from 1983 but the production of this system was terminated after only 27 systems had been delivered. To keep Chaparral effective the system was subject to another round of upgrades. Added were a new more sensitive seeker, smokeless rocket motors, improved IFF and a FLIR imaging system to confer a level of all weather capability. Chaparral missile range is about 3.2nm with altitude limits of 350m minimum and 3050m maximum. The M-48 was deployed in Air Defence Artillery brigades and was considered to be a Corps level asset, used for the defence of rear areas. Battalions within the brigade typically operated 24 M-48s alongside 24 M163 Vulcan SPAAGs. Each battalion deploys a number of truck mounted AN/MPQ-49 radars to provide early warning.

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HUMRAAM/CLAWS

Given the versatility and success of the AIM-120 AMRAAM in service with air forces around the world it is not surprising that the missile has found its way into a SAM system. Norway has already deployed the NASAMs system and both the US Army and Marines are in the process of acquiring AMRAAM based SAM systems. The US Army requires a system to fill the role formerly occupied by the M-48 Chaparral while the USMC Complementary Low Altitude Weapons System is, as the name suggests, intended to compliment the existing Stinger based Avenger and LAV-AD systems. HUMRAAM has been offered as a solution to both of these requirements. Five AMRAAM missiles are mounted on the rear of an extended wheelbase HMMWV as used for the Avenger system. Apart from the fire vehicles the HUMRAAM system also comprises the Fire Distribution Centre and the AN/APQ-64 radar. The Fire Distribution Centre provides tactical control via an advanced automated battle management system. Up to 12 HUMRAAM launchers can be controlled. The AN/APQ-64 radar can provide cueing for the launchers along with another of other systems including the Navy's CEC.

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MIM-23 HAWK

The HAWK surface to air missile system provides medium-range, low to medium altitude air defense against a variety of targets, including jet and rotary wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and cruise missiles. This mobile, all-weather day and night system is highly lethal, reliable, and effective against electronic countermeasures. The Hawk was originally named for the predatory bird but later the name was turned into an acronym for "Homing All the Way Killer." The system was developed from 1953 and first entered service in the early 1960s. The system has been fielded by a large number of US allies including NATO nations, Imperial Iran and Israel. The system has received upgrades during its long life including the Improved HAWK in the 1970s and current upgrades that have equipped the system to intercept short range ballistic missiles.
The HAWK missile has a slender cylindrical body and four long cord clipped delta-wings, extending from mid-body to the slightly tapered boat-tail. A HAWK battery includes an HQ with an AN/MPQ-35 pulse/acquisition radar, an AN/MPQ-34 Continuous Wave (CW) Acquisition radar, and an AN/TWS Battery Control Post and two firing platoons each with an AN/MPQ-33/39 tracking/illuminating engagement radar and three M193 triple missile launchers. A battery can also include the AN/MPQ-37 ROR (Range Only Radar) which is a K-band pulse radar to provide ranging data when the other radars are jammed by countermeasures. Missile engagement range was 1-13nm

A self propelled system was introduced in 1969. This mounted the HAWK triple launcher on the rear of an M727 tracked vehicle. Like the M720 of the Chaparral system this vehicle is a modification of the M548 tracked transport.

To counter advanced low-altitude threats, the Army began a Hawk Improvement Program (HAWK/HIP) in 1964. This involved numerous upgrades to the Hawk system, including new digital fire control . The AN/MPQ-35 PAR, AN/MPQ-34 CWAR, AN/MPQ-33/39 HPI, and AN/MPQ-37 ROR were replaced by upgraded variants designated AN/MPQ-50, AN/MPQ-48, AN/MPQ-46, and AN/MPQ-51, respectively. The Hawk missile itself was upgraded to MIM-23B I-HAWK (Improved Hawk) configuration. This featured a larger warhead and an improved rocket motor. The I-HAWK system was declared operational in 1971 with all U.S. Hawk units converted to the new standard by 1978. The effective range envelope of the MIM-23B is extended to 0.8-22nm at high altitude and 1.5-11nm at low altitude, and minimum engagement altitude is 60m.

From 1977 the US started a series of Product Improvement Plans. These have consisted of three phases I, II and III. PIP Phase I involved replacement of the CWAR with the AN/MPQ-55 Improved CWAR (ICWAR), and the upgrade of the AN/MPQ-50 PAR to Improved PAR (IPAR) configuration by the addition of a digital MTI (Moving Target Indicator). The first PIP Phase I systems were fielded in 1979. PIP Phase II, developed from 1978 and fielded between 1983 and 1986, upgraded the AN/MPQ-46 HPI to AN/MPQ-57 standard by replacing some tube electronics with modern solid-state circuits, and added a TAS (Tracking Adjunct System). The TAS, designated OD-179/TVY, is an electro-optical (TV) tracking system to increase Hawk operability and survivability in a high-ECM environment. The PIP Phase III development was started in 1983, and was first fielded by U.S. forces in 1989. Phase III is a major upgrade which significantly enhanced computer hard- and software for most components (new CWAR is designated AN/MPQ-62), added single-scan target detection capability, and upgraded the HPI to AN/MPQ-61 standard by addition of a Low-Altitude Simultaneous Hawk Engagement (LASHE) system. LASHE allows the Hawk system to counter saturation attacks by simultaneously intercepting multiple low-level targets. The ROR is no longer used by Phase III Hawk units.

The MIM-23B Hawk missile was improved in parallel with the PIP upgrades. The MIM-23C, introduced around 1982, has improved ECCM capabilities. The MIM-23D is similar to the MIM-23C. The MIM-23E and MIM-23F, introduced in 1990, are developments of the MIM-23C and MIM-23D, respectively, with an improved guidance section for low-level engagements in high-clutter/multi-jamming environments. The MIM-23G and MIM-23H are variants of the MIM-23E and MIM-23F, respectively, with a new body section assembly.
In 1991, the USMC successfully demonstrated the use of a modified Lockheed Martin AN/TPS-59 tactical long-range radar system to search and track Theater Ballistic Missiles (TBM) in conjunction with a Hawk fire-control unit. The AN/TPS-59(V)3 radar can track targets at up to 475 km (295 miles) range and 150 km (90 miles) altitude. Although no actual firing took place, these tests prompted the USMC to upgrade its Hawk units with an anti-TBM capability. The MIM-23G/H Hawk missiles were upgraded to Enhanced Lethality Missile configuration, designated MIM-23K and MIM-23J, respectively (note "reversed" suffix letters). The MIM-23J/K has a new high-grain fragmentation warhead and new fuzing circuitry to make it effective against ballistic missiles, and in 1994, several intercepts of MGM-52 Lance short-range ballistic missiles were successful. The MIM-23L and MIM-23M missiles have the new fuzing circuits of the MIM-23K and MIM-23J, respectively, but don't have the latter's new warhead.
The last active Army Hawk unit was deactivated in 1994, and the last Army National Guard units disposed of the Hawk system in the 1996/97 time frame. The Hawk has been replaced in U.S. Army service by the MIM-104 Patriot and FIM-92 Stinger (and Stinger-based systems like Avenger) missiles for medium- and short-range air-defense, respectively. The MIM-23K missile and AN/TPS-59(V)3 radar was operational with USMC units from 1995 onwards. Beginning in 1998/99 the USMC started to phase out the Hawk to replace it with the FIM-92 Stinger leaving some gap in the medium-range air-defense capabilities of the USMC that will not be filled until the arrival of the HUMRAAM based CLAWS.
The HAWK has never been fired in anger by US forces but has seen extensive service with Israel in 1973 and Iran during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war. Kuwaiti HAWKs are credited with downing a number of Iraqi aircraft in 1990 before the sites were overrun.

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Nike Hercules

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NOAH

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MIM-104 Patriot

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MEADS

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THAAD

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National Missile Defence

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