AN/TWQ-1 Avenger: The Helicopter Hunter

 

 

 

 

 

AN/TWQ-1 Avenger is a relatively cost-effective system that builds on the existing HUMVEE chassis, and retains most of the features of its class.

The Avenger low-altitude air defense system, designated AN/TWQ-1, is a top-class, highly mobile air defense weapon of the US army, armed with powerful firepower with 8 FIM-92 Stinger surface-to-air missiles in 2 missile launcher pods. This is a self-propelled surface-to-air missile system which provides short-range air defense protection for ground units against cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, low-flying fixed-wing aircraft, and helicopters.

Currently the Avenger is being used by the US Army, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Taiwan, and Chile. It is a relatively cost-effective system that builds on the existing HUMVEE chassis, and retains most of the features of its class. The Stinger missile on the other hand is a proven system. A typical Avenger crew consists of a driver and a gunner.

Development commenced in the early 1980s. First production systems entered service with the US Army in 1990. A total of 1,800 of these air defense systems were built. Around 950 systems are still operational. The main firepower is eight Raytheon Stinger short range air defense missiles in two launch pods mounted either side of the turret. The secondary weapon is a .50 calibre M3P automatic machine gun to cover the missile dead zone and engage ground targets.