2.65 billion for the production of anti-aircraft Stingers. Raytheon has a new contract

The FIM-92 Stinger anti-aircraft manual missile system was developed and is currently in service, especially to shoot down Russian-made helicopters. Its effectiveness has probably already been confirmed in the ongoing war in Ukraine, so it’s no wonder that Raytheon received a contract worth USD 624 million, i.e. PLN 2.65 billion for their production.

New FIM-92 Stinger contract is designed to speed up missile production and make up for stock shortages

The contract requires Raytheon to produce 1,300 anti-aircraft missiles for the FIM-92 Stinger systems, and it is worth noting that these are only missiles, not entire systems, i.e. launchers and aiming apparatus. However, the contract also provides for engineering services, testing equipment and technical support to upgrade these missiles. The reason for granting it is the development of the American aid package for Ukraine (Ukraine Supplemental), the purpose of which is to provide armed support to the country under attack by Russia.

Also read: Russian superweapons can be countered by British destroyers

If you are interested in the details, I am in a hurry to describe the FIM-92 Stinger. Their 1.52-meter-long missiles are guided infrared, which means that they aim at the elements emitting the heat rays of a given helicopter, drone or aircraft. They develop a speed of 725 m / s thanks to a two-stage rocket engine, and on paper they are effective against objects 4800 meters away and at altitudes up to 3800 meters. They hit the target with their warhead with a 1 kg HTA-3 material activated with a shock fuse.