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	Director, Operational Test & Evaluation
FY97 Annual Report

AVENGER (PEDESTAL MOUNTED STINGER)

	Army ACAT IV Program 767 systems Total program cost (TY$) $1054.8M Average unit cost (TY$) $1.1366M Full-rate production 3FY90 Prime Contractor Boeing Aerospace (fire unit) Hughes Missile Systems (launcher)

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION & CONTRIBUTION TO JOINT VISION 2010

The Avenger system is a lightweight, mobile and transportable surface-to-air missile and gun weapon system, mounted on a Heavy High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV). Avenger is designed to counter hostile cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and low-flying, high-speed, fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters attacking or transiting friendly airspace. Avenger fills the Line of Sight-Rear (LOS-R) portion of the Forward Area Air Defense System (FAADS). It has a two man crew and can operate in day or night, clear or adverse weather conditions. The system incorporates an operator's position with displays, fire control electronics, and the Standard Vehicle Mounted Launcher (SVML). The SVML supports and launches multiple Stinger missiles (Basic Stinger, Stinger-POST (Passive Optical Seeker Technique), or Stinger-RMP (Reprogrammable MicroProcessor). Additionally, the SVML incorporates a .50 caliber machine gun and necessary fire control sensors for both weapons. The contribution this highly mobile, short range air defense system makes to the Army's full-dimensional protection enhances the ground components prospects for dominant maneuver by preserving key elements of the force.

Avenger completed a two phase IOT&E in 1989. Phase I consisted of acquisition and tracking trials at Fort Hunter-Liggett. Phase II consisted of Stinger missile firings at White Sands Missile Range. The Avenger system was found to be operationally effective by DOT&E in the B-LRIP to Congress dated February 28, 1990. Avenger was found to be operationally suitable with some limiting factors. These limiting factors were: back blast damage to the cab at some firing azimuths and elevations; excessive hydrogen chloride gas levels in the cab; need for a improved voltage regulator; and the need for an environmental control unit/ primary power unit (ECU/PPU) for the gunner's cupola.

The Army reports that they have corrected the limiting factors. Prior to fielding, Boeing reinforced the vehicle doors to prevent back blast damage. Also, cab openings and doors received new seals or gaskets to reduce the HCL gas levels. A retrofit was performed to address the voltage regulator problem. A redesigned regulator and a larger alternator were installed on all fielded vehicles, while the new items were cut into production.

An ECU/PPU design was tested and found to address the heat build-up in the cupola. During testing, the ECU/PPU was found to create an EMI problem with the Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) and the Radar Control Unit Video. Before fixes could be incorporated, the SBA contracted firm producing the ECU went bankrupt. An alternate source was identified when another firm purchased the defaulter. Fixes have been explored as part of the contract restart. A follow-on test was completed by Redstone Technical Test Center to verify ECU/PPU performance and compatibility. First production units have been accepted.

The new ECU/PPU underwent environmental testing at RTTC, Huntsville. Since the testing used a fixture, not the system, the testing did not provide sufficient operational data needed by OPTEC and DOT&E to provide an adequate evaluation of this issue.

There were no test events executed this year. OPTEC (OEC) is working with the PM to plan an ECU/PPU environmental test which satisfies the data requirements for the operational evaluators. DOT&E expects the Army to conduct testing during FY98. Results of these tests will be reported in the next annual report.

The test and evaluation of the Avenger in accordance with the DOT&E approved TEMP dated 20 June 1987 will conclude once the ECU/PPU limiting factors outlined in the B-LRIP dated 28 February 1990 have been adequately addressed. Army testing of alternate source ECUs will examine the following questions: (1) Does the ECU cool the gunner's turret in extreme temperatures? (2) Is the ECU reliable? (3) Are there any safety problems with the ECU? (4) Does the ECU degrade the operational capabilities of the Avenger, for example, the range of the SINCGARS radios? Technical testing to date has addressed these questions, however the Army has yet to test a "production representative" item. When Army technical testing is complete, data will be provided to OPTEC and DOT&E for review and assessment. When the B-LRIP limiting factors have been completely addressed, Avenger will be dropped from DOT&E oversight.

DOT&E expects the Army to complete testing during FY98. Results of these tests will be reported in the next annual report.