'Stinger under Armor:' An Analysis of Alternatives
Abstract
This paper examines a concept for employment of the Stinger Air Defense Artillery weapon system known as 'Stinger under Armor.' It traces the evolution of the concept, highlighting the many variants the term has come to embrace as well as the changing context in which the Stinger has been employed. The paper is analytical in nature, but stresses subjective and relational considerations. It provides a broader conceptual framework to analyze primary employment alternatives and establish relative values for the overall effectiveness of each strategy. The analysis identifies clear benefits of providing dedicated carriers for Stringer. It also establishes the inferiority of non-dedicated stringers, and of the use of non-dedicated maneuver unit vehicles to carry Stinger teams during offensive operations in mid-to-high intensity environments. Finally, the study raises the question of the broader implications of the materiel acquisition and combat development processes that have contributed to creating a window of vulnerability in forward areas air defense in the pre-FAADS era. This broader deficiency ultimately drove the need for 'Stinger under Armor' as a short-term solution to a current battlefield vulnerability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA226007
Entities
People
- Alan D. Landry
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College