AIM-92 Stinger

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The AIM-92 Stinger or ATAS (Air To Air Stinger) or ATAL is an air-to-air missile developed from the shoulder-launched FIM-92 Stinger system for use on helicopters such as the AH-64 Apache. The missile itself is identical to the shoulder-launched Stinger.

[edit] History

The US Army has used the ATAS variant on its OH-58D Kiowa Warrior and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in the air-to-air role.

On 19 November 1996 a Stinger (ATAS) Block-1 missile was demonstrated was launched from a OH-58D piloted by CPT Bob Blanchett at Yuma Proving Ground and successfully destroyed a QUH-1 drone helicopter deploying countermeasures at a range greater than 4,500 meters.

All Air-to-Air Stinger (ATAS) Block II missiles will be modified existing Stinger RMP missiles (FIM-92C). Block II will incorporate various improvements including a new staring IR focal plane array seeker, a new battery, and advanced signal processing capabilities. The seeker permits engagements of helicopters in clutter out to the 8 km maximum physical range of the missile, also improved accuracy and IRCCM capabilities, and will provide a full night capability. The Block II missile also supports seeker slaving (steering the missiles seeker off axis before launch to lock onto targets). This was first demonstrated on 6 November 1997 at Yuma.

ATAL is an upgrade to the Air-to-Air Stinger launcher fielded on the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior and Blackhawk helicopters. In mid 2000 tests were carried out with the ATAL system mounted on the AH-64 Apache Longbow helicopter. Nine missiles were fired, eight which scored direct hits against simulated hovering helicopter targets in a clutter environment. The missiles were launched with the Longbow helicopter travelling at speeds from hovering to 136 knots, slide slips up to 30 knots, partial power descents, pull-up manoeuvres, hovering pedal turns, push-over manoeuvres, and a 22-degree bank.