In a hard-nosed move that screams both practicality and foresight, the US Army has recently rolled up its sleeves to give a new lease on life to nearly 1,900 Stinger missiles.
These old warhorses, once gathering dust in the arsenal’s back corners, are now back in the game, beefed up to stare down the barrel of today’s threats.
We’re talking a real phoenix-from-the-ashes story here, and it’s saving Uncle Sam a pretty penny to boot.
The Spark of Necessity
This whole shebang kicked off at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant (MCAAP) back in 2017 with the Stinger Service Life Extension Program.
But when Russia decided to launch an invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the stakes got higher.
Suddenly, sprucing up these relics wasn’t just smart – it was urgent.
“…a threat that Stinger was not originally designed for decades ago,” the service said in a statement.
It’s like digging out an old leather jacket, finding it still fits, and it’s back in style.
The Resurrection Project
In a hard-nosed move that screams both practicality and foresight, the US Army has recently rolled up its sleeves to give a new lease on life to nearly 1,900 Stinger missiles.
These old warhorses, once gathering dust in the arsenal’s back corners, are now back in the game, beefed up to stare down the barrel of today’s threats.
We’re talking a real phoenix-from-the-ashes story here, and it’s saving Uncle Sam a pretty penny to boot.
The Spark of Necessity
This whole shebang kicked off at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant (MCAAP) back in 2017 with the Stinger Service Life Extension Program.
But when Russia decided to launch an invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the stakes got higher.
Suddenly, sprucing up these relics wasn’t just smart – it was urgent.
“…a threat that Stinger was not originally designed for decades ago,” the service said in a statement.
It’s like digging out an old leather jacket, finding it still fits, and it’s back in style.
Stinger Missiles: Technological Facelift and Cost-Effective Strategy
The fix-up job on these missiles wasn’t your run-of-the-mill tune-up.
It’s a full-blown makeover.
These babies were designed in a different era – a time when unmanned aerial systems (UAS) were just sci-fi.
Now, they’re geared up with the latest tech to swat these modern pests from the sky.
Here’s the kicker – the cost savings are nothing to sneeze at.
Revamping each Stinger saved about 50 grand compared to buying a new one.
US military renews Stinger air defense missiles. The US military has refurbished approximately 1,900 previously decommissioned Stinger missiles as part of the Life Extension Program (SLEP). pic.twitter.com/nU31lopso1
— International Defence Analysis (@Defence_IDA) January 26, 2024
In the defense world, where money often burns faster than jet fuel, this kind of penny-pinching is gold.
With the world heating up over Ukraine, the Army’s playing it smart.
They’re not just stopping at the original plan – they’re doubling down with plans to refurbish an additional 2,700 old-timers.
It’s like they’re saying, “Bring it on” to any new tussles on the horizon.
Teamwork Triumphs and Private Sector Partnership
But, the real magic here really is the teamwork – a solid fist-bump between the Program Executive Office, Missiles and Space, and the McAlester plant.
They didn’t just hit their target; they blew it out of the water, fixing up 70 percent more missiles than planned and finishing months ahead of schedule.
“Furthermore, MCAAP finished four months ahead of the proposed 16-month schedule,” it added.
Now, that’s military efficiency for you.
And let’s not forget the private sector’s part in this dance.
Raytheon, a big name in defense, got the nod to produce 1,300 new Stingers to top off what Ukraine’s conflict chewed through.
It’s a testament to how quick and tight this public-private partnership can be when the heat’s on.
The MCAAP effort entailed taking Stinger missiles at or near the end of their shelf life and running them through a myriad of tests, breaking down the missile, replacing critical aging components, inserting new technology extending the shelf life 10 years. pic.twitter.com/UimbTc1vcE
But the Army isn’t just looking back; they’ve got their eyes on the horizon, too.
They’re already scouting for the next-gen portable missile – always staying one step ahead, ready to roll with whatever the future throws their way.
Conclusion: Adapting and Thriving
What this Stinger revamp boils down to is more than just a facelift for some old missiles.
It’s a showcase of adaptability and grit – qualities that have kept the US military in the game through thick and thin.
It’s about squeezing every ounce of fight from what you’ve got and making sure you’re locked, loaded, and ready for whatever new nightmares come crawling out of the shadows.
In wrapping this up, the whole Stinger saga is a lesson in not just surviving but thriving in a world that doesn’t stop throwing curveballs.
It’s about being smart, being ready, and never underestimating the value of an old dog with new tricks.
As the world keeps spinning and the threats keep coming, moves like this are what keep us in the fight, fighting smart and fighting hard.
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Brandon Webb former Navy SEAL, Bestselling Author and Editor-in-Chief
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