FIM92Hawk

The FIM-92 Stinger is a man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) developed in the United States. It is a lightweight, shoulder-fired infrared-guided missile designed to engage low-altitude and low-speed aerial targets such as helicopters and slow-flying aircraft. The Stinger missile system consists of the missile itself, housed in a launch tube, and a gripstock which contains the firing mechanism, sighting system, and battery.

The Stinger utilizes an infrared seeker to detect and track the heat signature emitted by aircraft engines. Early versions used a simple passive infrared seeker, but later variants incorporated more sophisticated seeker technologies, including imaging infrared and ultraviolet/infrared sensors, to improve performance against countermeasures like flares. The missile is propelled by a solid-fuel rocket motor.

The FIM-92 Stinger has been widely exported and used by numerous countries around the world. It has seen combat in various conflicts since its introduction into service in the early 1980s. Its effectiveness and portability have made it a significant weapon in the inventory of many militaries, offering a low-cost, accessible defense against airborne threats. The U.S. Army and Marine Corps are primary operators, with various upgrades and modifications implemented over its service life to maintain its relevance and effectiveness.