Ramona Adams
Boeing has updated its short-range air defense system in an effort to help the U.S. Army fire missiles such as Longbow Hellfire and AI-3 weapons as well as lasers from vehicles including Stryker and M2 Bradley platforms, Breaking Defense reported Friday.
Sydney Freedberg writes Boeing and the U.S. Army integrated the Avenger turret onto a Stryker armored vehicle as the service branch aims to address a requirement for SHORAD units that can withstand bombs, anti-tank missiles and other attacks.
Boeing also aims to fit Avenger into an updated version of the M6 Bradley Linebacker air-defense vehicle, Freedberg reported.
Jim Leary, Boeing senior manager for integrated air and missile defense and directed energy, told Breaking Defense the updated Avenger system works to fire multiple missiles off of an existing combat vehicle that can maneuver with infantry, armor and Stryker formations.
Leary added the system’s new turret has fired a Longbow missile as well as a two-kilowatt laser during company-funded tests.
The Army invited contractors to participate in a SHORAD demonstration scheduled for September, the report noted.
