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	Director, Operational Test & Evaluation
	FY98 Annual Report

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. Avenger is designed to counter hostile cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and low-flying, high-speed, fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters that attack or transit friendly airspace. Avenger fills the Line-of-Sight Rear (LOS-R) portion of the Forward Area Air Defense System. It has a two-man crew and can operate in day or night, clear or adverse weather conditions. The gunner's position incorporates 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 component 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 Ft. 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 report to Congress dated February 28, 1990. Avenger was also found to be operationally suitable with some limiting factors. These factors include: (1) back blast damage to the cab at some firing azimuths and elevations; (2) excessive hydrogen chloride gas levels in the cab; (3) the need for an improved voltage regulator; and (4) the need for an environmental control unit/ primary power unit (ECU/PPU) for the gunner's cupola.

The Army reports that three of the four limiting factors have been corrected. 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 hydrogen chloride 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.

The one limiting factor that had not been corrected is the heat buildup in the gunner's cupola. An ECU/PPU, tested in 1996, solved the heat build-up problem in the cupola. However, during testing, the ECU/PPU was found to create an EMI problem with the Forward Looking Infrared and the Radar Control Unit Video. Before fixes could be incorporated, the Small Business Administration contracted firm producing the ECU went bankrupt. An alternate source for the ECU has been found and testing has commenced with the new ECU/PPU.

The follow-on test was conducted in July and August 1998 at Huntsville, AL, by the Redstone Technical Test Center to verify the new ECU/PPU performance and compatibility. Army analysis is expected in December 1999.

The Avenger is assessed as being operationally effective, operationally suitable, lethal and survivable. The Avenger has been adequately tested in accordance with the DOT&E approved TEMP dated June 20, 1987, and has satisfactorily addressed the four limiting factors outlined in the B-LRIP report dated February 28, 1990. The Avenger, having resolved the remaining OT&E issues, is being removed from DOT&E oversight.