Avenger Air Defense System

The AN/TWQ-1 Avenger mounts two four-round Stinger missile launcher pods and a .50-caliber M3P heavy machine gun on a turret atop an M1097 HMMWV chassis, providing point and short-range air defense against helicopters, low-altitude aircraft, and cruise missile threats. Electro-optical and FLIR sensors give day/night engagement capability without requiring radar illumination.

Avenger has been the Army's principal short-range air defense system for the better part of three decades and is operated by both active and National Guard air defense units. The newer Stryker-mounted M-SHORAD is the intended modern successor, although Avenger remains in service pending complete SHORAD fielding.

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