“The reprogrammable Stinger microprocessor will not be used in fiscal 2023. Stinger’s current stocks are down. “The Army plans to begin design, development and testing of the new missile in fiscal 2023,” the U.S. Army Missiles and Space Executive Office said in a summary of the implementation on the U.S. government’s procurement website.
The practice states that the creation of a new MANPADS must meet “modern threats, including forces close to the level of the US Army.” “These efforts act as a bridge to meet the growing demand for improved short-range air defense capabilities to support maneuvering forces,” the document says.
In addition, the technical characteristics of the new missile are listed here: it must confidently hit helicopters, aircraft and unmanned aerial systems and launch from a universal launcher.
At the same time, the new missile should “detect targets better, have a greater range and greater probability of hitting a target, be safe for the shooter, easy to train and maintain.” Today, the maximum firing range of the Stinger, according to open sources, is 4500 m, the height of the target is 3800 m, the performance of the Russian Verba complex is 6400 m at a range and an altitude of 4500 m.
Companies that decide to participate in the tender for the creation of a new system will have to demonstrate a digital model or combat example in 2024, and in 2026 a demonstration of the complex in action and live fire. In case of victory, the rocket will go into mass production no later than 2027.
Igor Korotchenko, Director of the World Arms Trade Analysis Center (TsAMTO), believes the main reason for replacing Stinger was the need to improve it.
“MANPADS “Stinger” is an effective, time-tested weapon and quite good. But frankly, a new element base, new technological capabilities dictate the need to develop any means of conducting armed struggle, including this, ”said the author.
In turn, Alexander Ermakov, an expert at the Russian Council on International Relations (RIAC), directly said that the Stinger complex is outdated. He noted that the United States has traditionally paid little attention to the development of MANPADS.
“The Stinger complex is a classic MANPADS from the 1980s to the 1990s. The United States showed little interest in the development of MANPADS, as they relied on air superiority to be provided by their aviation. That is, in practice, the “Stingers” of the American army are unlikely at all. is not. [активно] applied. It was a low priority for them. That’s why Congress has blocked these issues before,” he said.
According to him, a key factor forcing Congress to approve the development and allocate funds this time is the Stinger supply to Ukraine. “Now [военные США] began to whine loudly that all missiles were delivered to Ukraine. They have nothing to fight. It’s literally nothing, but it was probably a significant stockpile consumption as they didn’t have a lot of MANPADS,” he said.
Igor Korotchenko noted that the new missile should have increased range and better distinguish the target from the heat traps.
“The main result of modernization and the introduction of new technological solutions will be an increase in both range and height in the affected area, as well as an increase in the confidence to hit targets. That means some elements of target selection according to certain principles,” said Korotchenko.
Alexander Ermakov added that the Stingers needed a new homing head (PGM) to better detect targets. “There is a classic infrared fuel and lubricants. It is necessary to put more advanced fuel and lubricants. First of all, it is more resistant to interference, ”the expert noted.
According to him, the new rocket will be “significantly more expensive.” The price increase depends on the tasks to be set for it and the requirements to be developed for the project. “The tasks can be reduced to the fact that the United States was at war with an formerly unequal enemy, but now there is a greater threat of collision with another opponent – an equal, technically advanced one,” said Yermakov.