In the structure of the military air defense of the ground forces and the US Marine Corps, the AN / TWQ-1 Avenger anti-aircraft missile systems occupy an important place. Self-propelled vehicles with guided missiles provide protection for troops on the march and in positions in the near zone and are able to cope with various threats. SAM "Avenger" regularly undergo various updates, and next year will begin a new major modernization.
Preparing for the upgrade
The upcoming modernization of the Avenger air defense system was named SLEP (Service Life Extension Program). It is expected that the implementation of the planned work will extend the service life of the equipment, as well as improve its characteristics, eliminating obsolescence.
In preparation for future modernization of equipment, the Pentagon and its contractors have developed several new devices designed to be installed on equipment. Some new products have already found their place on the air defense system, while others will be installed only in the future.
Last year, Boeing and its subcontractors upgraded several retired air defense systems. They restored the technical readiness of the machines, and also equipped them with new devices, after which they carried out the necessary tests. The main innovation is the Avenger Targeting Console, also known as Slew-to-Cue fire control system. This device retains the functions of its predecessor, and also receives new ones. So, when working with external target designation, the air defense system is now able to automatically turn the launcher and track the target. The operator can only give the command to launch the rocket. Other innovations are also envisaged.
In September last year, the Cruise Missile Defense Systems Project Office presented a new warhead for the FIM-92 Stinger portable air defense missile system. It differs from the serial warhead by the presence of a proximity fuse. With the help of such a device, the rocket retains sufficient efficiency in the fight against large aircraft, but acquires the ability to defeat small UAVs.
The new capabilities of the improved rocket were confirmed during tests. The check was carried out using portable launchers and self-propelled vehicles "Avenger". The new warhead will receive about 5 thousand missiles; some other components will also be installed on them. As a result, the service life of the missile defense system will be extended by 10 years. Such a missile goes into service under the designation FIM-92J Block I.
SLEP program
Last year's work was carried out both in the interests of the air defense in general, and in the context of the modernization of the AN / TWQ-1 air defense system. A few days ago, the official US Army News Service revealed details of the planned SLEP program and specified the timing of its implementation.
The 1st phase of the new project will be implemented by early autumn next year. As part of SLEP Phase 1, the industry will install a new Slew-to-Cue control system on all existing Avenger vehicles. It is also possible to carry out certain repair work. As a result of such an upgrade, the air defense systems will be able to work more efficiently within the framework of a developed air defense system, which includes various components.
In the last quarter of next year, "Phase 2" will be launched, providing for a more serious upgrade of equipment. As part of this work, a large number of on-board systems will be replaced, which will increase some of the characteristics. In this case, some of the components will remain in place. The second phase of SLEP will continue until 2023 inclusive.
The retrofitted Avengers will receive a new fire control system based on a modern component base. Analog communication systems will be replaced by digital ones. A new "friend or foe" identification system of the Mode 5 type will be installed. It is also planned to replace the auxiliary large-caliber machine gun. The operator's cabin will receive new climatic systems.
The upgrade of Stinger missiles is not formally included in the SLEP program, but it should also have a positive effect on the combat qualities of the modernized air defense systems. SAM FIM-92J Block I with the possibility of contactless detonation to destroy UAVs will obviously expand the range of combat missions to be solved.
Old and new possibilities
The published data allow us to present the general appearance of the Avenger anti-aircraft complex after the planned modernization. Its overall architecture will not change. The platform for it will remain the HMMWV car, on the rear of which there is a rotary launcher. The installation of new instruments will not have a noticeable effect on mass and, as a result, on mobility.
The active module will store two swinging packages with four missile containers each. A machine gun will be mounted on board. At the disposal of the gunner is a set of various optoelectronic equipment that allows observation and search for targets at any time of the day in any weather conditions. However, the upgraded gauges will improve key performance and simplify the operator's job.
The new LMS should process the incoming information faster and provide data for firing. The ability to work on external target designation remains, and ATC means will reduce the role of the operator. With their help, the Avenger air defense system will be able to accompany the target under the control of a third-party radar, and the operator will only have to give the command to launch the rocket.
Initially, the targets for the AN / TWQ-1 were considered front-line aircraft and helicopters capable of threatening troops on the march or in positions. Now "Avenger" will be able to effectively deal with small UAVs and aircraft attack. The task of detecting such complex targets can be assigned to an external radar, which issues data to the air defense system. Their successful defeat will be facilitated by missiles with a modified warhead.
Apparently, despite the use of an improved warhead, the FIM-92J missile will retain its flight characteristics at the level of previous products. As a result, the target hitting range will not exceed 8 km, the height - 3, 8 km. Thus, the area of responsibility of the Avenger air defense system does not change, but the probability of hitting a target, regardless of its type, should increase. When using FIM-92 products of previous modifications, the combat qualities of the air defense missile system associated with the missile defense system do not change.
Following the modernization
Work on updating the AN / TWQ-1 Avenger air defense system of the US Army should start in the very near future. In about a year, real results will be obtained on SLEP Phase 1. Then the implementation of "Phase 2" will begin, the end of which is scheduled for 2023. All Avengers in the army are subject to modernization. According to available data, the units have more than 700 combat vehicles of this type. The accompanying project for updating the FIM-92J MANPADS will also affect the military air defense and will be implemented at about the same time.
The advantages of the SLEP project are clear. With its help, the American army will be able to significantly update the Avenger air defense systems, as well as increase their potential and ensure an effective fight against current threats. According to the results of SLEP, anti-aircraft complexes will be able to continue serving for a long time, and during this period they will meet the requirements of the army.
However, the proposed approach to the modernization of military air defense has drawbacks. First of all, this is the very idea of another deep modernization of the SAM and its SAM. The Stinger missile was created in the early eighties, and the Avenger entered service at the end of the same decade. Thus, the two products are based on not the newest and most modern solutions. In addition, the problem remains in the form of MANPADS missiles, which have limited flight data.
It can be assumed that the Pentagon understands this and is making appropriate plans. The SLEP project may be the last modernization in the history of the Avenger air defense system. After the completion of these works, the development of a fundamentally new model for military air defense can begin, taking into account all the advantages and disadvantages of its predecessor. However, when it will appear and how it will turn out is unknown.
At the moment, the efforts of the Pentagon and a number of its contractors are focused on updating the existing air defense technology. In the coming months, they will have to re-equip the Avenger air defense system using new electronics, and then a larger second phase of the program will start. The issue of updating the military air defense of the US Army for several years can be considered closed.
