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The lethality of weapons on today's battlefield makes it imperative that the Army take measures to increase the survivability of Stinger teams. The task force can accomplish this by either placing them in a dedicated carrier under armor protection or by digging the team in with the required 18-36 inches of overhead cover.

The preferred method of Stinger employment in offensive operations is placing teams in dedicated carriers, such as the M113. The M113 provides:

• Increased survivability
• Increased command and control
• Mobility commensurate with maneuver force
• Increased ammunition carrying capability if modified with a missile ready-rack

Utilizing an M113 as a dedicated carrier also has its shortcomings. The availability of M113s is the biggest problem when discussing their utilization as a dedicated carrier. To resolve the problem of M113 availability, a unit transferred vehicles from its Chaparral platoons to the Stinger sections of the Vulcan batteries. Future TOE requirements mandate that Chaparrals will become a Corps asset. Transferring Chaparral M113s for use by Stinger teams has merit only if divisional ADA units have retained their Chaparral assets.

Another means of increasing the survivability of a Stinger team is to dig them in with adequate overhead cover during defensive operations. It is the responsibility of the SHORAD platoon leader to ensure that his Stinger assets are dug in.

The SHORAD leader must be proficient at analyzing terrain quickly and accurately. It is imperative that the SHORAD leader consider both mission accomplishment and survivability when deploying ADA assets on the battlefield.

In an attempt to maximize the missile hauling capabilities of the M113, a unit developed a missile ready-rack inside the M113. The missile ready-rack is capable of storing nine Stinger missiles which increases the availability of ready-to-fire Stinger rounds for immediate use by the Stinger gunner. The utilization of a modified M113 is only an interim solution until the Army gets a more survivable vehicle for Stinger employment.

Additional information concerning the missile ready-rack can be obtained by contacting the USAADASCH, ATTN: ATSA-EVD, Ft Bliss, TX 79916-7040 or by calling AV 978-3895/4007.

Table of Contents

Section VI: Mobility/Countermobility/Survivability

Section VIII: Combat Service Support