FIM-92 Stinger

FIM-92
- Guided Anti Aircraft MANPADS -
Posted Image

Combat Deployment:
In the level "Powderkeg", the Wardog Squadron are engaged by Yuktobanian soldiers armed with FIM-92A Stinger missiles using the thick jungle as cover. While not visible save for the incoming missiles, in-game radio chatter among the Yuktobanians confirms the model being used. It is also mentioned in a radio transmission in Ace Combat 4: Shattered Skies.

Overview:
Development of the Stinger began in 1967 as a study for an improved FIM-43 Redeye, named Redeye II. The main improvement was to give the missile an all-aspect seeker capability. In 1971, the U.S. Army selected Redeye II for development as the future MANPADS, and assigned the designation FIM-92. In March 1972, the Redeye II was renamed as Stinger. Testing of guided XFIM-92A rounds began in November 1973, but was halted and restarted several times because of technical problems. By 1975, the most severe problems had been solved, and in July that year, the first shoulder launch of an XFIM-92A occurred. Finally, in April 1978, General Dynamics was awarded the first contract for mass production of the FIM-92A missile. Production Stinger missiles then replaced the old FIM-43 Redeye rounds on a one-to-one basis. IOC (Initial Operational Capability) was reached by the first Stinger units in 1981.

The FIM-92A is fired by one man through a shoulder launcher. Once a target is located and identified as a threat, the operator has to activate the missile. This process takes about 6 seconds, and includes IR seeker cooling, gyro spin-up, and activation of the electronics. When the detector logic has locked on an IR source, a buzzer signal is sent to the operator, who may then pull the trigger. 1.7 seconds later, the FIM-92 missile is launched. After the Stinger has been ejected from the launcher by a very short duration boost motor, the forward control fins and fixed tailfins extend. After a short coasting period to take the missile to a safe distance from the operator, the two-stage (boost/sustain) solid-fueled main motor ignites. The initial boost phase accelerates the Stinger to Mach 2.2 within only 2 seconds, and top-speed at motor burnout can be as high as Mach 2.6 for certain trajactories. If no target is hit after about 17 (± 2) seconds, the missile self-destructs.

The Stinger has two major advantages over the older FIM-43 Redeye. The first is the second-generation cooled conical-scan IR seeker, which offers all-aspect detection and homing capability. Therefore, the Stinger can be used on approaching aircraft, before these had a chance to drop their short-range ordnance or begin ground-strafing. The second new feature of Stinger is its integrated AN/PPX-1 IFF system, which is an obvious advantage in a scenario where both friendly and enemy forces are operating aircraft. In flight, the missile's seeker head and guidance electronics can follow a target manoeuvering at more than 8g. In the immediate vicinity of the target, the guidance logic will be biased so that the missile homes on a particularly vulnerable part of the target (e.g. the cockpit of an aircraft, instead of the center of its IR signature, the jet exhaust). The 3 kg (6.6 lb) blast-fragmentation warhead is triggered by a proximity and time-delayed impact fuze. Minimum effective range is quoted as 200 m (660 ft).