The Egyptian Avengers

Avenger, deployed(click to view full) Boeing’s Avenger system mounts 8 Raytheon FIM-92 Stinger short range air defense missiles on a Humvee jeep, along with an FN M3P .50 cal machine gun and automated systems that use optical sights, infrared, a laser rangefinder, and an IFF (Identification Friend-Or-Foe) system. In 1998, modifications began that upgraded some systems to “slew-to-cue,” which automatically slews the turret to place the sights on targets received from FAAD (Forward Area Air Defense) Command and Control systems. Total Avenger production has been 1,004 units, of which around 800 are in service with U.S. forces. Taiwan has 70 Avenger systems, and Egypt has 50+ systems. DID has also covered U.S. modifications to a few Avenger systems that convert them for use as an upgraded “gun truck” and convoy escort vehicle in Iraq. Egypt has submitted a pair of formal requests for Avenger systems over the last few years, one of which resulted in an order that restarted the system’s production line. Obviously, those systems will need Stinger missiles… Contracts & Key Events Avenger, firing(click to view full) Oct 5/11: Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, AZ received a $26 million firm-fixed-price contract for 174 Stinger FIM-92H Block 1 missiles […]