AN/TWQ-1 HMMWV Avenger
Notes: In the
mid-1980s, General Electric developed an ADA vehicle based on the HMMWV chassis
to fill an Army requirement for a light air defense vehicle.
The Avenger’s only difference from a standard HMMWV is the mounting of a
Pedestal- Mounted Stinger System (PMSS) in the cargo bed.
The PMSS is a turret housing four twin-tube Stinger launchers (8 tubes
altogether) along with an M2HB machinegun.
Since the turret’s aiming systems are computer-controlled, firing
Stingers from a PMSS is an Average (Tac Missile + Computer) task.
The Avenger is
used by the US Army, and previously used by the US Marines.
Other operators include Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Taiwan, and Ukraine.
Avengers have
been tested with Starstreak SAMs mounted in place of the Stingers; in this
configuration, one Stinger pod is replaced by a pod of Starstreak missiles.
This addresses the Stinger’s problem with low-contrast targets like
hovering helicopters, which are sometimes not detected by Stinger seekers.
The Starstreak system was tested as a possible light SAM solution for
Britain in 1990-91, though ultimately it was decided not to go ahead with the
program.
Avengers have
also been tested with the quad pods of Stingers replaced by triple Mistral pods.
One prototype was built in 1992 and experimented until 1997, when it was
dropped. This variant was originally built to a French requirement.
The Avenger DEW
(Directed Energy Weapon), also known as the Laser Avenger, replaced the right
Stinger pod with a 1kw laser for use against UAVs and UXO.
The M3 was also replaced by an M242 25mm chain gun, along with an
increased ammunition supply. As of
December 2022 this modification is still being experimented with.
The Avenger
Multirole Weapon System (MWS) relocates the M3 to a remote turret above the cab,
and replaces one Stinger pod with a pod for two Javelin ATGMs. This is also
still being experimented with, but by GDLS instead of the Army.
The Avenger AI3
(Accelerated Improved Interceptor Initiative) replaces both Stinger pods with a
pair of AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.
The Army decided against the AI3 in 2013, but General Dynamics is still
experimenting with the AI3, hoping for foreign sales.
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
Avenger |
$260,523 |
D, G, A |
173 kg |
3.9 tons |
2 |
7 |
FLIR, Image Intensification |
Open |
Avenger Starstreak |
$278,258 |
D, G, A |
173 kg |
3.92 tons |
2 |
7 |
FLIR, Image Intensification |
Open |
Avenger Mistral |
$198,419 |
D, G, A |
173 kg |
3.93 tons |
2 |
7 |
FLIR, Image Intensification |
Open |
Avenger DEW |
$463,884 |
D, G, A |
173 kg |
4.14 tons |
2 |
9 |
FLIR, Image Intensification |
Open |
Avenger MWS |
$282,916 |
D, G, A |
173 kg |
3.89 tons |
2 |
8 |
FLIR, Image Intensification |
Open |
Avenger AI3 |
$205,509 |
D, G, A |
173 kg |
3.98 tons |
2 |
9 |
FLIR, Image Intensification |
Open |
Vehicle |
Tr Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor |
Avenger |
249/126 |
69/35 |
95 |
50 |
Trtd |
W(2) |
TF1
TS1 TR1
HF1 HS1
HR1 |
Avenger Starstreak |
249/126 |
69/35 |
95 |
50 |
Trtd |
W(2) |
TF1
TS1 TR1
HF1 HS1
HR1 |
Avenger Mistral |
249/126 |
69/35 |
95 |
50 |
Trtd |
W(2) |
TF1
TS1 TR1
HF1 HS1
HR1 |
Avenger DEW |
236/119 |
65/33 |
95 |
50 |
Trtd |
W(2) |
TF1
TS1 TR1
HF1 HS1
HR1 |
Avenger MWS |
249/126 |
69/35 |
95 |
50 |
Trtd |
W(2) |
TF1
TS1 TR1
HF1 HS1
HR1 |
Avenger AI3 |
244/123 |
68/34 |
95 |
50 |
Trtd |
W(2) |
TF1
TS1 TR1
HF1 HS1
HR1 |
Vehicle |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
Avenger |
+2 |
Fair |
8xStinger
Launchers, M3P |
8xStinger,
650x.50 |
Avenger Starstreak |
+2 |
Fair |
4xStinger
Launchers, 4xStarstreak Launchers, M3P |
4xStinger,
4xStarstreak, 650x.50 |
Avenger Mistral |
+2 |
Fair |
6xMistral
Launchers, M3P |
6xMistral,
650x.50 |
Avenger DEW |
+2 |
Fair |
4xStinger
Launchers, 1kw Solid-State Laser, M242 25mm Chain Gun |
4xStinger,
650x25mm |
Avenger MWS |
+2 |
Fair |
4xStinger
Launchers, 2xJavelin Launchers, M3P |
4xStinger,
2xJavelin, 650x.50 |
Avenger AI3 |
+2 |
Fair |
2xAIM-9L
Sidewinder Launchers, M3P |
2xSidewinder, 650x.50 |
HUMRAAM
Notes: This
vehicle is a ground mounting of the AMRAAM air-to-air missile on a HMMWV
chassis, for use as a light SAM mounting.
The mounting is also known as a SLAMRAAM (Surface-Launched AMRAAM). This
consists of a 5-missile launcher on an elevating ramp on the back of the HMMWV,
and uses the active radar in the nose of the weapon to guide the missile, or the
radar of an accompanying vehicle.
If only the active radar is used, the AMRAAMs range is limited to 21,000 meters.
The rotating mechanism is the same as used on the HMMWV Avenger.
This vehicle is still being tested in 2004, mostly by the US Marines.
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
$627,218 |
D, A |
150 kg |
4.13 tons |
3 |
6 |
Image Intensification (G) |
Open |
Tr Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor |
236/119 |
65/33 |
95 |
50 |
Trtd |
W(2) |
TF1
TS1 TR1
HF1 HS1
HR1 |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
+2 |
None |
5xAIM-120A AMRAAM Launchers |
5xAMRAAM |
LAV-150 ADA Vehicle
Notes: This is
basically a PIVAD turret mounted on a LAV-150 chassis. The hull is almost the
same externally, but the turret is the same as the turret of the M163 PIVAD
vehicle. The interior is much
modified to accommodate the turret and its mechanism and racks for additional
ammunition. The PIVAD turret
provides a small range-only radar keyed to the range of the Vulcan and
rudimentary IR sights, and an optical lead sight. To stabilize the light
chassis, three outriggers may be extended before firing, one to the front and
one to each rear corner. The engine is a 275-horsepower diesel, the same engine
as on the M113 APC, coupled to a manual or automatic transmission depending upon
the wishes of the user. (The Saudis use an automatic transmission.)
The LAV-150 ADA
was developed for the Saudi National Guard and is not known to be in use by
another other entity.
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
$110,490 |
D, A |
235 kg |
9 tons |
3 |
8 |
Passive IR (D, G), Radar (6 km) (G) |
Enclosed |
Tr Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor |
223/113 |
62/31/6 |
303 |
102 |
Trtd |
W(3) |
TF4
TS4 TR3
HF5 HS3
HR2 |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
+1 |
None |
20mm M130 Vulcan Autocannon |
400x20mm |
LAV-150 SAM Vehicle
Notes: This is
an RBS-70 launcher mounted on an elevating pedestal in the rear of a LAV-150
vehicle. This pedestal is not a turret and is merely a launcher which is raised
out of the armor envelope on an electrically-actuated pedestal while aiming and
firing. Normally, the pedestal is
lowered again after a shot and the roof hatches closed, but this is not required
for movement. The machinegun is mounted ahead of the roof hatches on a pintle
mount at the commander’s hatch. This vehicle was originally designed as a light
SAM vehicle for SAAB for international sales, but they did not attract any
interest.
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
$175,080 |
D, A |
257 kg |
7.6 tons |
4 |
5 |
Passive IR (D, G), Image Intensification
(G) |
Enclosed |
Tr Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor |
259/130 |
72/36/7 |
303 |
102 |
Stnd |
W(3) |
HF5
HS3 HR2 |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
None |
None |
RBS-70 launcher, MAG (C) |
8xRBS-70 missiles, 2400x7.62mm |
LAV-300 ADA Vehicle
Notes: This is
similar in concept to the LAV-150 ADA Vehicle, but based on a larger LAV-300
chassis. The hull is almost the same as the LAV-300 APC externally, but the
turret is the same as the turret of the M163 PIVAD vehicle.
The interior is much modified to accommodate the turret and its mechanism
and racks for additional ammunition.
The PIVAD turret provides a small range-only radar keyed to the range of
the Vulcan and rudimentary IR sights, and an optical lead sight. The engine is a
270-horsepower Cummins 6 CTA 8.3 turbocharged diesel engine, coupled to an
automatic or manual transmission depending upon the wishes of the buyer.
Along with the rest of the LAV-300 line, the LAV-300 ADA vehicle ended
manufacture in 2020, though used examples are available all over the world.
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
$129,002 |
D, A |
300kg |
12 tons |
3 |
8 |
Passive IR (D, G), Radar (6 km) (G) |
Enclosed |
Tr Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor |
173/87 |
48/24/5 |
435 |
101 |
Trtd |
W(3) |
TF4
TS4 TR3
HF8 HS5
HR4 |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
+1 |
Fair |
20mm M130 Vulcan Autocannon |
800x20mmVulcan |