Robin Hughes, London – IHS Jane’s Missiles & Rockets

19 May 2016

Key Points

Stinger moved from outer wingtips to fixed adapter on the stub-wing pylons
ATAS will be available to all domestic US and international customers for the E-model

Raytheon Missile Systems has entered a System Design and Development (SDD) contract with Boeing to integrate its FIM-92 Block 1 Air-to-Air Stinger (ATAS) missile as a standard air-to-air component for the E-model Apache AH-64 attack helicopter.

Currently, Stinger integration on the Apache D model is conducted on a case-by-case basis for operators, where the missiles are mounted on the stub wingtips through a separate integration package. From 2018, the E model will become the common configuration for all future domestic US and FMS Apache sales, and will include a pylon-mounted Raytheon ATAS integration package as standard.

Original post janes.com

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FIM-92A Stinger Weapons System

The Stinger system consists of a Stinger round encased in its launch tube and a separate gripstock assembly.

The “fire-and-forget” Stinger missile employs a passive infrared seeker to home in on its airborne target. A passive infrared seeker emits no radiation that a target aircraft can detect, and, instead, guides on the infrared energy (heat) emitted by the target. Because the Stinger employs a passive homing seeker, it is a “fire-and-forget” weapon that needs no guidance from the operator after firing, unlike other missiles that track the reflection of a designator beam, requiring the operator to maintain a lock on the target. This allows a Stinger operator to take cover, relocate, or engage other targets immediately after firing a Stinger.

The Stinger system features a proportional navigation system, integrated Indentification Friend or Foe (IFF) interrogation, and threat adaptive guidance. Proportional navigation enables the missile to effectively hit moving targets by injecting a multiplier factor into course corrections so that the missile overcorrects for a target’s evasive maneuvers, leading the target to a successful interception. The integrated IFF subsystem allows the Stinger operator to query a target aircraft to determine if it is friendly. Before firing, the operator depresses a button on the gripstock assembly, emitting a coded radio signal. Aircraft equipped with friendly IFF systems will recognize the coded signal and respond with the appropriate coded reply. The IFF subsystem emits one tone if it authenticates a friendly aircraft, and another if the aircraft is unknown. The IFF subsystem is intended to prevent friendly-fire incidents. The Stinger’s threat adaptive guidance takesover in the final stages of its approach to the target, slightly shifting the missile’s aim from the target’s IR hotspot to more vulnerable areas of the aircraft.

The Air-to-Air Stinger [ATAS] is an adaption of the man portable Stinger System. It is a light weight missile designed to engage low altitude targets.

Manufacturer	Prime – Hughes Missile System Company Missile – General Dynamics /Raytheon Corporation
Propulsion	Dual thrust solid fuel rocket motor
Length	5 feet (1.5 meters)
Width	5.5 inches (13.96 centimeters)
Weight	12.5 pounds (5.68 kilograms)
Weight fully armed	34.5 pounds (15.66 kg)
Maximum system span	3.6 inches (9.14 cm)
Range	1 to 8 kilometers
Sight ring	10 mils
Fuzing	Penetration, impact, self destruct
Ceiling	10,000 feet (3.046 kilometers)
Speed	Supersonic in flight
USMC Units	Low-Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Battalions: 3 active duty, 2 reserve
Crew	2 enlisted
Guidance system	Fire-and-forget passive infrared seeker
Warheads	High explosive
Rate of fire	1 missile every 3 to 7 seconds
Type of fire	“Fire-and-Forget”
Sensors	Passive infrared
Introduction date	1987