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	Director, Operational Test & Evaluation
	FY98 Annual Report

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION & CONTRIBUTION TO JOINT VISION 2010

The Stinger missile, a full-dimensional protection weapon, is the Army's system for short-range air defense, which provides the ground maneuver commander with force protection against low-altitude airborne targets such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, and cruise missiles. The Stinger is launched from a number of platforms: Bradley Stinger Fighting Vehicle, Bradley Linebacker, Avenger (High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle) and helicopters, as well as the Man Portable Air Defense configuration.

There are two upgrades to the Stinger-Reprogrammable MicroProcessor (RMP) missile to correct known operational deficiencies. The first upgrade, called Stinger-RMP Block I, makes software and hardware changes, including a new roll frequency sensor, a small battery, and an improved computer processor and memory. The second upgrade, Stinger-RMP Block II, improves both hardware and software, including an advanced imaging focal plane array, additional signal processing software, and a new warhead. The imaging focal plane array used on the Stinger-RMP Block II missile is the same one used on the Air Force's AIM9X air-to-air missile. Additional upgrades for the Stinger-RMP Block II missile are being considered.

Operational deficiencies were discovered during testing of the Stinger-RMP missile in the late 1980s. The Secretary of Defense directed the Army to correct the deficiencies and then operationally test the fixes. In the 1990 TEMP, DOT&E approved a proposed operational test consisting of 24 missile firings.

The Stinger-RMP missile test program was suspended during Operation Desert Storm, and the missile was rushed into the field in preparation for war. After the war, the Army proposed a two-phased upgrade program, Stinger-RMP Block I and Stinger-RMP Block II. The Stinger-RMP Block I missile consisted of hardware and software modifications designed to solve some of the observed operational deficiencies. The Stinger-RMP Block II consists of additional hardware and software modifications designed to solve the remaining deficiencies.

The Army proposes to field more than 10,000 Stinger-RMP Block I missiles, which will remain in inventory until at least 2014. There are plans to produce approximately 9,500 Stinger-RMP Block II missiles. The Milestone (MS) III decision to authorize production of the Stinger-RMP Block II missiles in 2004 will be supported by OT.

The last OSD-approved TEMP is dated March 1, 1991. The Army continued to conduct tests without an OSD-approved TEMP. Fifteen test events were conducted between 1993-1996 to verify Stinger-RMP Block I hardware and software improvements. The latest Stinger-RMP Block I TEMP submission dated January 27, 1995 was not approved by OSD.

DOT&E is working with the Army on developing a test strategy for Stinger-RMP Block II in preparation for an MS II decision scheduled for 3QFY99.

The RMP Block I missile has not been adequately tested and has not demonstrated operational effectiveness or suitability. The program does not have an OSD-approved test strategy.

DOT&E is working with the Army to develop an RMP Block II TEMP that will include a robust OT&E that captures data on both the Block I and II missiles to support a baseline comparison.

DOT&E is assisting the Army as it prepares for its MS II decision. Considering all that needs to be done to adequately prepare this program for an MS II decision, an Army scheduled 3QFY99 MS II decision is ambitious.