Missile/Air Defense Product Improvement Program

Mission — Missile/Air Defense Product Improvement Program source

Avenger is a lightweight, ground-to-air missile and gun weapon system mounted on a High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV). The system protects against unmanned aircraft systems, cruise missiles, and fixed and rotary wing threats. Avenger provides day/night adverse weather operations, shoot on the move capability, rapid target engagement, and remote firing capability. It can be air dropped, lifted by helicopter and is air transportable. The system employs up to eight Stinger missiles to counter aerial threats and a .50 Caliber Machine Gun (M3P) for close-in ground and air threats. An Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system aids in the identification of friendly aircraft in order to minimize the potential for fratricide. The Avenger fleet of 421 systems includes 169 systems that are equipped with a digital Slew-to-Cue (STC) capability to speed target detection and engagement. FY 2026 funding of $1.338 million continues system testing requirements and system improvements to address evolving threats. Avenger is part of the Army Transformation Initiative. The FY 2026 request was reduced by $0.171 million for Advisory and Assistance Services to promote efficiencies and advance the policies of the Administration in alignment with Executive Order 14222, "Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Cost Efficiency Initiative."

Mission — Avenger PIP source

Avenger is a lightweight, ground-to-air missile and gun weapon system mounted on a High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle. The system protects against unmanned aircraft systems, cruise missiles, and fixed and rotary wing threats. Avenger provides day/night adverse weather operations, shoot on the move capability, rapid target engagement, and remote firing capability. It can be air dropped, lifted by helicopter and is air transportable. The system employs up to eight Stinger missiles to counter aerial threats and a .50 Caliber Machine Gun (M3P) for close-in ground and air threats. An Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system aids in the identification of friendly aircraft in order to minimize the potential for fratricide. The Avenger fleet of 421 systems includes 169 systems that are equipped with a digital Slew-to-Cue (STC) capability to speed target detection and engagement. The Avenger Modification - Service Life Extension Program (MOD-SLEP) consists of Project 038: Avenger Production Improvement Program (PIP) and Program Element CE8710: Avenger MODS. The ongoing MOD-SLEP addresses obsolescence of Avenger components to ensure Avenger maintains operational capability through the end of its economic useful life. Key MOD-SLEP components are: the Targeting Console (TC), the M3P, the Avenger Fire Control Computer (AFCC), the Mode 5 IFF, the Vehicle Internal Communications (VIC-5), and the Assured Positioning Navigation and Timing (A-PNT) capability. The AFCC and TC are fielded to the STC Avengers. All other components are fielded to the entire Avenger fleet. FY 2026 funding of $1.338 million provides continues system testing requirements and system improvements to address evolving threats.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (2)