Stinger maintenance work to increase service life, reliability

By Kevin Jackson, AMCMay 25, 2017

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1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Matthew Thomas from McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, Oklahoma, explains the components of the FIM-92 Stinger and the work that will be completed to extend the shelf-life of each of the 2,594 missiles. By replacing selected components, the missile she... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Chief Warrant Officer 4 Julian Evans from the Cruise Missile Defense System Project Office at Redstone Arsenal, Ala., explains how the Stinger missile is deployed as two Soldiers demonstrate during the Stinger Service Life Extension Program ribbon-cu... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – During a demonstration, Sgt. 1st Class Scott Kilbarger (right), man portable air defense system team chief, visually identifies an imaginary hostile target and points for Staff Sgt. Johnny Washington, the gunner, to engage it during a demonstration o... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Charles Worshim, project manager for the Cruise Missile Defense Systems Project Office at Redstone Arsenal, Ala., explains to guests and McAlester Army Ammunition Plant employees why MCAAP was selected from numerous depots and industry by CMDS t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Surrounded by the Stinger missile maintenance team at McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, Okla., (left to right) Col. Charles Worshim, Col. Sean Herron and Col. Doug White, cut a ribbon at MCAAP symbolizing the kickoff of a Cruise Missile Defense System... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

McALESTER ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT, Okla. -- Officials from the Cruise Missile Defense Systems Project Office at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, and the ammunition plant here, recently cut a ribbon kicking off a partnership to extend the shelf life of aging Stinger missiles and return them to the munitions inventory.

The FIM 92 Stinger RMP BLOCK I missile, the fourth generation Stinger missile, is an advanced, fire-and-forget, short-range, man-portable, air defense weapon system. It provides low-altitude defense for ground forces against attack or aerial observation by low-flying Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs), cruise missiles, rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. The basic Stinger missile was first fielded in 1981.

The goal of the work on the Stinger, called the service life extension program or SLEP, is to extend the shelf life of 1,426 missiles for the Army and 1,168 for the Marine Corps another 10 years.

The work began earlier this month and will be completed in about two years, said Bill Tollett, chief of the Precision Munitions Division.

"My team is responsible for addressing obsolescence issues and performance concerns, ensuring that our Soldiers, Marines and foreign partners have the most capable missile system that we can provide them to defend the freedoms that we enjoy every day," said Col. Charles Worshim, project manager for the Cruise Missile Defense Systems Project Office.

The Stinger work being undertaken at MCAAP involves changing out selected components from existing Block 1 missiles, replacing them with new rocket motors, warheads, and gas generator and desiccant cartridges, which will extend the munitions' shelf life and increase its reliability.

"The employees who work this line as part of the MCAAP workforce, are experts in this missile defense system, every single component on it," said Col. Sean M. Herron, commander, McAlester Army Ammunition Plant. "We are thrilled that [the Cruise Missile Defense System Project Office], Raytheon and other partners have decided to come here with the Stinger."

The initial Stinger missile fielded in 1981 was strictly a shoulder-fired weapon. It has since been deployed on several helicopters and even UAS, said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Julian Evans, master of ceremonies from the CMDS Project Office.

The FIM-92 Stinger was originally deployed against fixed and rotary wing threats, but has been used in recent years against enemy cruise missiles and UAS. It has also provided over-watch for service members during Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Worshim said the Stinger SLEP is important because its use can be the difference between lives being saved, property being spared, cities being destroyed, or not. As a result, his expectations are high.

"Your mission is to deliver a Stinger that has unparalleled quality," Worhshim said to MCAAP's precision munitions workforce gathered for the ceremony.

"Your mission is to deliver a quality product that helps to protect America's sons and daughters in harm's way. Team McAlester, thank you for what you do. You are making the Stinger great again."

The CMDS Project Office is responsible for the lifecycle management of the Stinger missile from cradle to grave.

MCAAP is one of 14 installations of the Joint Munitions Command and one of 23 organic industrial base facilities under the U.S. Army Materiel Command.