SAM M1097 Avenger against UAVs: Polish media told about US air defense on the border of Syria and Iraq

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Not so long ago, photos of American anti-aircraft missile systems M1097 Avenger air defense systems located in Syria, presumably on the border with Iraq, appeared on social networks.

The Polish edition of Defense 24 writes that it is not yet known where exactly the photographs could have been taken - whether the air defense system was deployed in Syria to cover the American contingent, or they are based in Iraq, where an impressive American military contingent is stationed.



Recall that the M1097 Avenger air defense system is a self-propelled short-range anti-aircraft missile system, which is located on the HMMWV chassis and is designed to destroy air targets at altitudes of 0,5-3,8 km and ranges of 0,5-5,5 km. The M1097 Avenger is equipped with 2 containers of 4 FIM-92 Stinger missiles, a 12,7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun and a radar.

In fact, there is no obstacle to the deployment of US air defense systems in the eastern part of Deir ez-Zor province, which is under the control of the US-allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in which the Kurds play an important role. In addition, the air defense system could be deployed at the Al-Tanf base in southern Syria, near the borders with Iraq and Jordan. The pro-American formations of the former Free Syrian Army (FSA) are also operating here, as well as a refugee camp, some of which are used to turn into militants.

According to a Polish publication analyzing the organization of American air defense in Syria, there is nothing surprising in the very appearance of the M1097 Avenger air defense system. The US military in Syria has been repeatedly attacked by unmanned aerial vehicles. Determine the origin of these drones is not always possible - it can be like Drones jihadists and drones of pro-Iranian formations, since both of them also operate against the American contingent. M1097 Avenger "Avengers" in Syria and are going to be used against UAVs.

Of course, using air defense systems against small drones is like firing a cannon at sparrows. But the danger for the Americans is also posed by larger drones, against which air defense systems can be very effective.


Not so long ago, the commander of US Central Command, General Frank Mackenzie Jr., called drones the greatest threat to US forces since the Second Gulf War, when improvised explosive devices were used massively. To combat drones, it is necessary to search for new solutions, but can they be given within the framework of the existing concept of organizing air defense of ground forces?

The deployment of units equipped with the Avenger air defense system on the Syrian-Iraqi border, thus, looks like a completely logical decision of the American command.

First, the M1097 Avenger remains the primary means of air defense in the US Army units. The strength of the air defense system is their mobility. Second, participation in the Syrian conflict is an excellent opportunity to test the effectiveness of air defense systems in combat conditions, including their ability to destroy unmanned aerial vehicles.

The Polish publication reminds that the American army is also armed with other air defense systems, but the threat posed by drones in Syria is so great that it requires the use of a variety of weapons. The fact that the American army is testing the possibility of using the Avenger against UAVs has been known before. For example, in 2019, units equipped with Drone Defender were deployed in the Republic of Korea, and Sentinel radars were used for early detection of threats.
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  1. +6
    10 March 2021 11: 04
    What's the point?))) How many raids were reflected? Everyone has already understood everything about the Patriots, now the next step is to discredit the Avengers
    1. +4
      10 March 2021 11: 15
      A rocket on a toy ... Well, expensive. Considering that the Barmaley have a "toy with a grenade" class UAV. Iran has real drums and not the same type. Against them can and is justified. Let's look at the steepness of the Avenger tongue While I was already writing to you, minus was put in ... We all know who wassat
      1. The comment was deleted.
      2. +2
        10 March 2021 12: 54
        "... A rocket on a toy ... Well, an expensive pleasure.
        ..."
        - and "and mattress covers" - they do not count money.
        For them, the "suckers of the whole world" pay!

        But economic feasibility is only "ONCE".
        - and "TWO" is that the "Stingers" - they were actually BEFORE equipped with an infrared homing head, designed to capture jet aircraft and helicopters emitting TENS and HUNDREDS of KILOWATTS of infrared radiation.
        - and I strongly doubt that:
        1) A UAV with infrared radiation power - of the order of HUNDREDS of watts (that is, at least 100 times less than that of a helicopter) - is a POWERFUL enough source of thermal radiation for the Stinger head to capture / see such a "dim" target ...
        2) the size of the UAV is large enough to be BIGGER than the Stinger pointing error ... and even at such a "dim" target ...

        somehow like this...
        8-))
        1. 0
          10 March 2021 13: 09
          Quote: tikhonov66
          - and "and mattress covers" - they do not count money.
          For them, the "suckers of the whole world" pay!

          If suckers exist, then someone needs it, why not use it? wassat
        2. 0
          10 March 2021 15: 55
          Quote: tikhonov66
          2) the size of the UAV is large enough to be BIGGER than the Stinger pointing error ... and even at such a "dim" target ...

          =========
          Here is this thesis - somehow I did not quite understand ?! If you can formulate more precisely!
          And with the rest - a consonant! good drinks
  2. 0
    10 March 2021 11: 12
    Let's see ... the effectiveness of the "Avenger" air defense missile system! As far as I know, the ammunition load of the complex also includes a modification of the "Stinger" with a thermal imaging seeker and a range of up to 8 km ... low-heat-contrast "UAVs ...
    1. -1
      10 March 2021 13: 00
      "... modification of" Stinger "with thermal imaging seeker
      ..."
      - in fact, good thermal imaging heads (see, for example, the performance characteristics of a javelin - and this is for a target with a radiating power C TANK!) - they require very deep cooling to obtain a good signal-to-noise ratio. And in Syria - to put it mildly - it's hot ...
      8-))
      - in one word - this whole idea strongly resembles another "mattress" adventure.
      Like, - "the main thing is to scare"
      8-)))
      1. -1
        10 March 2021 13: 39
        Quote: tikhonov66
        to obtain a good signal-to-noise ratio, they require very deep cooling. And in Syria - to put it mildly - it's hot

        Funny.
        Local cooling systems for GOS sensors have long been developed by both the Americans and ours. Stingers have always been equipped with refrigerated seeker, just like our Arrows and Needles. And the hotness of the climate in their case is not a question, plus / minus 30 degrees does not play a role, there is cooling with liquid nitrogen.
  3. -8
    10 March 2021 11: 13
    yes, even the s-300 complex looks more impressive than this pukalka negative but don't underestimate
  4. +3
    10 March 2021 11: 14
    Same old / new Stinger ...
    By the way, what other air defense systems do minke whales have?
    Which can be effectively used against drones?
    1. +1
      10 March 2021 11: 39
      Quote: rocket757
      By the way, what other air defense systems do minke whales have?

      I was somehow alarmed by the word "more" in your comment. The ability of the Avenger air defense system to destroy drones is very doubtful.
      Quote: rocket757
      Which can be effectively used against drones?

      The C-RAM "Centurion" comes to mind.
      1. +1
        10 March 2021 11: 46
        MORE, I wanted to ask Polish experts ...
        At the expense of CENTURION, the effective range for him is not ah, but now such drones are cunning. Not all fly close, low ... the most dangerous bullets shoot from afar!
        This is to the question - which MORE and EFFECTIVE.
        1. +1
          10 March 2021 12: 18
          Quote: rocket757
          the range of effective defeat he has not ah

          This is such a moment.
          Quote: rocket757
          Not all fly close, low ...

          Not all, but such as were used in the attack on the Arab oil refinery could very well be destroyed.
          Quote: rocket757
          the most dangerous bullets from afar!

          So the Centurion is quite capable of shooting down their missiles.
          Quote: rocket757
          what MORE and EFFECTIVE

          Projectiles with programmable detonation of the Centurion are quite effective (in terms of price - quality). Back in the United States, various complexes of the Blade type or with "small" missiles (like "Nails", I forgot the name) were being developed, but I did not read that they were put into service. Yes, in general, air defense in the United States is not very "advanced".
          1. 0
            10 March 2021 12: 30
            All doubts are accepted in favor ... or not in favor.
            Decisions are made by the client, to take not to take, all the consequences are also his.
            The Yankees have their own decisions, of certain tasks ... the consequences are also theirs and those who follow them. Whether we have to puzzle about that.
            We must do what we must, and let the facts speak about the effectiveness of our decisions.
    2. +2
      10 March 2021 11: 59
      Quote: rocket757
      By the way, what other air defense systems do minke whales have?

      After the end of the Cold War, they put a bolt on air defense systems (except naval). Almost all of the nomenclature was written off.

      In addition to various modifications of the Patriot and Avenger, there is perhaps a C-RAM Phalanx, very dubious efficiency and a small amount.
      Now they have come to their senses, began to develop various systems. They are worried about UAVs and cruise missiles. Especially Iran and China.


      In an emergency mode, the military air defense IM-SHORAD was developed and purchased, on the Strikers for the military air defense of the army and on the MRAP for the ILC (they are still testing). They are intended primarily against UAVs. Equipped with radar, OLS, BIUS weapons, various from 30 mm autocannons with guided detonation projectiles and stingers to energy weapons.


      1. 0
        10 March 2021 12: 34
        Let's see what happens in the end ... and we will prepare our systems.
        So, directly, we can't butt with them, and their clients ... so they won't let them go, no matter what.
        1. -1
          10 March 2021 12: 42
          Quote: rocket757
          So, directly, we do not butt with them, and their clients

          Our air defense systems are excellent. They only require modernization for modern threats (UAVs, kamikaze drones). Competition is made by European air defense systems (they have really suitable systems), Israeli, South Korean and Turkish. It is to us, the main competitor China, that they have full copies of our and western complexes. At a very attractive price.
          The United States, since, apart from Patriot, at the moment, there is nothing interesting. In addition to marine systems and missile defense.
    3. +3
      10 March 2021 12: 00
      The most effective minke whale air defense system is Psaki from the State Department.
      Will repel anything, any attack ....... lol
  5. +3
    10 March 2021 11: 18
    photo with the Wasp in the background?
  6. 0
    10 March 2021 11: 18
    Where is the UAV sect and fans of everything American? Pantsir 1SM has higher characteristics.
    1. 0
      10 March 2021 11: 40
      Why "and then"?
      These are systems of different levels of capabilities.
      Obviously, at least from the requirements for the chassis.
  7. +1
    10 March 2021 11: 18
    This is in the place of the radar in the first photo, there is a person sitting there. Well, what is the effectiveness of such a device?
    1. +1
      10 March 2021 11: 41
      Quote: APASUS
      This is in the place of the radar in the first photo, there is a person sitting there. Well, what is the effectiveness of such a device?

      This is the type of our Strela-10 or Archer-E or Dzhigit. There is also a shooter operator

      Only for the amersky military industry, the Avenger seems to be old - it has been riveted since the 90th year.
    2. 0
      10 March 2021 11: 49
      Duc, according to the Russian secret system, he shows with his hand where to shoot. There also must be a second one, which is inside the case with a slap in the face or on the right or left gives target designation to the operator. wassat
    3. -1
      10 March 2021 12: 09
      Quote: APASUS
      This is in the radar spot in the first photo, there is a man sitting

      The Sentinel radar comes separately. It will go against a small number of UAVs, but in general, the Avenger complex is outdated, it will not answer modern realities. Here's a great radar.

      AN / MPQ-64 Sentinel - This is an X-band pulse Doppler radar system. The antenna uses phase-frequency electronic scanning technology that produces sharp, three-dimensional beams that cover a large amount of observation and tracking. Radar automatically detects, tracks, classifies, identifies and reports targets, including cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. It uses a high scanning speed (30 rpm) and works at a distance of 40 km. The radar is designed to be highly resistant to electronic countermeasures (ECM). Mounted on a towed platform, it can be located remotely from the rest of the device, operate autonomously, and communicate with the Fire Control Center (FDC) via broadband fiber optic. It can also distribute its data over the SINCGARS radio network.
      1. -2
        10 March 2021 13: 05
        "...
        The antenna uses phase-frequency electronic scanning technology that produces sharp, three-dimensional beams that cover a large amount of observation and tracking. ... It uses high scan speed (30 rpm)
        ..."
        - Finally, all this is called a radar with "AFAR".
        In Russia, for a long time, others - and do not do ...
        - and here...
        Indeed, the more you write, the more terrible ...
        8-))
  8. 0
    10 March 2021 11: 48
    The Polish media argues, but where did the Americans deploy this air defense system, modestly keeping silent about its capabilities, but assuming that it can be used by UAVs (and even small ones?). Well, if you spend a missile or two on an expensive attack drone still did not go where, but what about home-made and small-kamikaze? Oh yes, there is a 12,7 mm machine gun and what ...?
    1. 0
      10 March 2021 11: 53
      If you pass by, the personnel switch to personal small arms, let the British learn from the experience in the Malvinas conflict. lol
  9. 0
    10 March 2021 11: 51
    Today, mini-UAVs are equipped with electric motors that do not have a thermal signature, so the possibility of their destruction by systems using thermal homing heads is very low.
    And even internal combustion engines have a very weak thermal footprint.
    Due to the small size of UAVs, taking into account the widespread use of composite materials in their design, the RCS values ​​are so small that the use of self-guided radar heads is very problematic.
    Well, the cost of drones is quite low, which will allow them to be used in large quantities.
    Indeed, from the cannon to the sparrows.
  10. +1
    10 March 2021 11: 53
    Judging by the photo, Avenger is covering the ancient Wasp. And what will they achieve when flying the UAV at an altitude of more than 5m?
    1. 0
      10 March 2021 13: 17
      they can still buy the Mantis system from the Germans, which is very effective against small-sized targets
  11. The comment was deleted.
  12. 0
    10 March 2021 13: 10
    Quote: rocket757
    Same old / new Stinger ...
    By the way, what other air defense systems do minke whales have?
    Which can be effectively used against drones?

    I think probably M163 (if it is enough to modernize it because this is the air defense of the times of Shilka), there is JSC "Vulkan", but of course it will not be enough shells during a massive attack.
    1. 0
      10 March 2021 13: 12
      Quote: Klingon
      I think probably M163

      It has been decommissioned. No longer in service.
  13. 0
    10 March 2021 13: 16
    Quote: OgnennyiKotik
    Quote: Klingon
    I think probably M163

    It has been decommissioned. No longer in service.

    well, we have Shilki decommissioned and are also not in service, however, Vietnam and Belarus have made modernizations with modern technologies, now, in addition to the new MSA, the radar, there are also containers with missiles
  14. 0
    10 March 2021 13: 49
    Stinger versus UAV is not a good solution.
    It simply won't reach the big ones, and the small ones won't notice, unless, of course, a new "miracle head" has been broken into it.
    The problem for amers is that there are no other systems between the tame Stinger and the huge expensive Patriot. Therefore, they buy from Israel the Iron Dome and David's Sling, both as a whole and by integrating their missiles into their Patriot.
  15. 0
    11 March 2021 19: 57
    Some kind of children's craft

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