In the last package of US military aid, among other things, it was announced that Ukraine would receive four AN/TWQ-1 Avenger air defense systems and Stinger missiles for them. What is this system and what is it capable of?

AN/TWQ-1 Avenger is a short-range mobile air defense system designed to protect troops during an offensive or on the march. The chassis is a modified HMMWV, the main weapon is two quadruple anti-aircraft missile launchers FIM-92 Stinger plus a 12.7-mm machine gun for self-defense.

The AN/TWQ-1 Avenger was developed in just 10 months in 1980 and has been in service with the US Army and Marine Corps ever since. A total of 1,100 such systems were produced, and among the other operators besides the US there are only Bahrain, Iran, Egypt and Taiwan. And now Ukraine.

There are three configurations of the AN/TWQ-1 Avenger – Basic, Slew-to-Cue and Up-Gun. The base can operate independently, or it can join the Forward Area Air Defense Command, Control, Communications (FAAD C3I) system, which allows receiving external radar tracks and messages. Slew-to-Cue allows the commander or gunner to select targets reported by the FAAD C3I from the targeting console display. After selecting a target, the turret can be automatically aimed (at the target) without the gunner’s intervention.

The Up-Gun version is designed for the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and only has 4 FIM-92 Stinger missiles. The right launch pod has been removed and replaced with an M3P 12.7mm machine gun, to fire directly in front of the HMMWV.

It is not yet known which AN/TWQ-1 Avenger the Armed Forces will receive.

Specifications of the AN/TWQ-1 Avenger
Length – 4.95 m
Width – 2.18 m
Height – 2.64 m
Mass – 3,900 kg
Crew – 2 (basic version), 3 (Slew-to-Cue)
Speed – 89 km/h
Operational range – 440 km
Engine – Detroit Diesel cooled V-8
Power – 135 hp. (99 kW)
Sensors – infrared homing head, laser rangefinder, optical sight
Armament – 4/8 ready-to-fire FIM-92 Stinger missiles
Range 200 – 4500 m
Additional armament – M3P 12.7 mm machine gun