Field Manual *FM 44-18-1

No. 44-18-1

HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Washington, DC, 31 December 1984

STINGER
TEAM OPERATIONS

* This field manual supersedes FM 44-18-1, 20 October 1980.

DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

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 FM 44-18-1
31 December 1984

DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

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FM 44-18-1

“As part of the Army standardization program, the terms

squad and team may be changed to crew. When implemented
by ARs, TOEs, etcetera, the terms will be used in subsequent
changes to this revised publication.”

When used in this publication, “he,” “him,” “his,” and “men”

represent both the masculine and feminine genders unless other-
wise stated.

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 FM 44-18-1

Preface
The purpose of this manual is to provide guidance for the Stinger team
in support of air defense operations. It is also written to support the training
of individuals to function as members of a Stinger team.
When skilled individuals are molded into efficient, smooth-functioning
teams, their capability to accomplish assigned missions is greatly increased.
The effectiveness of Stinger varies directly with the individual skills of each
team member and the collective proficiency of each team. The key to both is
training.
This manual focuses on the techniques and procedures used by the
Stinger team to engage and destroy hostile targets.
FM 44-18-1 consists of two parts:
Part I describes the Stinger system and tells how to use the weapon to
shoot down aircraft. This part also describes how the team operates in
combat.
Part II discusses the means and methods of training soldiers to operate
the system.
This manual should be used with the system technical manual (TM
9-1425-429-12) which tells how the system functions and how to maintain it.
Information found in the technical manual, such as that on maintenance
and emergency destruction procedures, is not repeated in this manual.
This is a companion manual to FM 44-18, which tells how Stinger will
be employed at the platoon and section levels, along with other air defense
artillery (ADA) weapons, as an integral part of the combined arms team.
The tactical doctrine and procedures contained in FM 44-18 will be of
little use if the Stinger team cannot effectively engage enemy aircraft. It
does little good to have the Stinger team properly positioned unless the team
chief and the gunner, working together, can engage and kill an enemy
aircraft when called upon to do so. This requires training in engagement
procedures, as outlined in this field manual.
The material contained in this field manual is applicable to both
nuclear and nonnuclear warfare without modification.
Checklists shown on pages 8 through 17 of Chapter 17, are recoin.
mended checklist formats. Those shown are samples for your guidance.
Users of FM 44-18-1 are encouraged to submit recommended changes or
specific comments to improve the publication. Comments should be keyed
to the specific page and line of text in which the change is recommended.
Reasons should be provided for each comment to insure understanding and
complete evaluation. Comments should be prepared on DA Form 2028
(Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms) and forwarded
directly to:
Commandant
US Army Air Defense Artillery School
ATTN: ATSA-DTP-EB
Fort Bliss, Texas 79916-7155.

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 PART I

THE STINGER WEAPON SYSTEM

CHAPTER 1

System Description
The Stinger weapon is a man-portable, shoulder-fired,
infrared radiation (IR) homing (heat-seeking), guided missile
system. It requires no control from the gunner after firing.
Stinger has an identification, friend or foe (IFF), subsystem
which aids the gunner and team chief in identifying friendly
aircraft. Operations at night or in adverse weather conditions
are somewhat restricted by the gunner’s ability to see and
identify the target. Stinger provides short-range air defense for
maneuver units and the less mobile combat support units. The
Stinger system is designed to counter high-speed, low-level,
ground attack aircraft. Stinger is also a lethal weapon against
helicopter, observation, and transport aircraft.

CONTENTS
Page Page
Ready-Round . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Gripstock Assembly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Missile-Round . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2 IFF Support Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-7
IFF Subsystem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5 Shipping and Storage Containers . . . . . . . . .1-9

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 FM 44-18-1

READY-ROUND
The Stinger missile-round consists of a weapon-round to provide prelaunch power to
Stinger missile sealed in a disposable launch the system, it becomes a ready-round. For
tube assembly. The Stinger weapon-round is IFF capability, an IFF interrogator is con-
made up of a missile-round mated to a separ- nected to the gripstock assembly as illus-
able gripstock assembly. When a battery/- trated below.
coolant unit (BCU) is inserted into the

MISSILE-ROUND
Major components that make up the missile are shown in the Stinger Missile-Round illustration.

The guidance section of the missile con- surfaces. The guidance assembly processes
sists of a guidance assembly, a control target IR and provides guidance commands
assembly, a missile battery, and four control for the missile during flight. The seeker tracks

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 FM 44-18-1

the IR source automatically after the gyro is sile to its top speed. The boost phase ends, but
uncaged and during missile flight. The con- the sustain phase continues. The sustain
trol assembly converts the guidance com- phase maintains the missile speed for a time
mands into movement of control surfaces sufficient to complete the mission.
which direct the flight of the missile. The The tail assembly of the Stinger missile
missile battery provides the in-flight power consists of four folding tailfins that provide
for the Stinger guided missile. roll and missile stability. Within the launch
The warhead section consists of a fuze tube, the fins are in a folded position. As the
assembly and a quantity of explosives, all missile leaves the launch tube, the fins are
within a cylindrical case. After the flight erected by spring action and by the force gen-
motor ignites, the fuze arms the warhead. erated by missile spin, and then locked into
The fuze can detonate the warhead in two place.
ways: by means of a low impact switch or by The launch tube is a fiberglass tube
a hard target sensor. Should target intercept which provides the main support for all parts
not occur within 15-19 seconds after launch, a of the launcher. Both ends of the launch tube
self-destruct circuit initiates warhead deto- are sealed with breakable disks. The IR win-
nation. Safety features are included to insure dow (front disk) is transparent to IR. Both
that the missile is safe for shipping and the IR window and the blowout disk (rear)
handling. break when the missile is fired. A desiccant
The propulsion for the missile is provided cartridge\ humidity indicator on the launch
by a separable launch motor and a dual tube indicates whether moisture has entered
thrust flight motor. the tube.
The launch (eject) motor provides initial
thrust that ejects the missile from the launch
tube. It allows the missile to coast a safe dis-
tance (about 9 meters/29 feet) from the gunner
prior to ignition of the flight motor. The
launch motor is expended and separated
from the flight motor before the missile is out
of the launch tube. The expended launch
motor leaves the launch tube and falls a safe
distance forward of the gunner. Also, at sepa-
ration, a lanyard attached to the launch
motor pulls the shorting plug from the flight
motor ignition circuit, thus enabling the flight
motor.
The flight motor provides propulsion for
the missile during flight. The flight motor
fires after the missile coasts for a safe dis-
tance from the gunner. Thrust for the flight
motor is provided in two phases: boost and
*The protective cover assemblies should be retained for possible use
sustain. Initially, both burn simultaneously. in the event it becomes necessary to back pack weapons without
The boost phase rapidly accelerates the mis- the gripstock assemblies attached.

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 FM 44-18-1

IFF SUBSYSTEM
Stinger is equipped with an IFF subsys- tile aircraft (see Hostile Criteria, chapter 4).
tem to aid in the identification of aircraft. The IFF components are shown in the illus-
The IFF sytem classifies aircraft as either tration and are described in the following
friendly or unknown. It does not identify hos- paragraphs.

The gunner initiates the IFF sequence by with Mark X or Mark XII transponders will
pressing the IFF INTERROGATE switch on automatically decode if the interrogator is
the gripstock assembly. Once the gunner programmed with Modes 4 and 3. Mode 3 is
issues a challenge, the rest of the sequence is built into the interrogator; however, if during
automatic. The IFF interrogator, attached to programming the Mode 4 position is used,
the gunner’s belt, sends a coded challenge Mode 3 (Mark X) will not be challenged until
(via an IFF antenna) to the aircraft. Aircraft the 2 or 4 days of Mode 4 coded have expired.

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FM 44-18-1

The aircraft’s transponder then prepares and described in chapter 4.

sends a coded reply. The reply is received by
the Stinger IFF antenna and is routed to the The IFF challenge is coded in either a
interrogator for decoding. The interrogator complex, crypto secure Mode 4 form or a
converts the reply into an audible tone which simpler Mode 3 form. All US combat aircraft
is then routed via the interconnecting cable and helicopters are equipped with trans-
to the gunner as a friendly tone. If the air- ponders to provide friendly Mode 4 and 3 re-
craft’s transponder sends an incorrect reply plies. However, some aircraft operating in
to the IFF challenge, the reply is processed by the combat zone, to include US commercial
the IFF system into an unknown tone. Addi- aircraft and some aircraft belonging to our
tionally, aircraft not equipped with the trans- allies, are not capable of providing friendly
ponders will not reply to the challenge, and Mode 4 replies. They can only provide friendly
this is also interpreted into an unknown tone. Mode 3 replies. Thus, since the Mode 4 code is
The gunner hears the friendly or unknown secure, a friendly Mode 4 reply is considered a
tone in his right earphone immediately after true friend reply. A friendly Mode 3 reply is
challenging the aircraft. The tones are further considered only as a possible friend reply.

GRIPSTOCK ASSEMBLY
The separate gripstock assembly con- the gripstock assembly are the safety and
tains all the necessary circuits and assem- actuator device, UNCAGING switch, firing
blies that allow the gunner to interrogate air- trigger, IFF antenna assembly, IFF INTER-
craft and to prepare and launch missiles. The ROGATE switch, IFF interrogator connec-
gripstock is attached to and removed from a tor, and BCU receptacle (see illustration
launch tube by means of a latch. Located on below).

The antenna assembly folds into a holder receiving coded replies. After a missile is
on the right side of the gripstock assembly fired, the separable gripstock assembly is
when not in use. When it is deployed and the removed from the launch tube assembly for
interrogator is connected to the gripstock, it reuse. The separable gripstock assembly can
is capable of interrogating aircraft and be reused until failure.

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 FM 44-18-1

The BCU is used to energize the wea- ward (until a click is heard) and then released.
pon’s electrical circuits and to cool the IR Once activated, the BCU supplies electrical
detector in the missile’s seeker prior to launch. power and seeker coolant to the weapon for 45
It contains a thermal battery and pressurized seconds or until missile launch. The BCU is
argon gas coolant. Prior to use, the BCU is not reusable after it is activated. Either two
inserted into the BCU receptacle and tight- or three BCUs are supplied with each weapon-
ened one-quarter turn. It is activated when round and missile-round (depending on year
the safety and actuator device on the grip- of issue).
stock is pressed forward, outward, and down-

IFF SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

Support equipment for the IFF system is and must be safeguarded as outlined in AR
available at section headquarters. This equip- 380-40. The interrogator (specifically, the
ment includes a programmer/battery charger reply evaluator module within the interroga-
AN/GSX-1, computer KIR-lA/TSEC (with tor) is also classified CONFIDENTIAL and
power supply model ZAC A/1), and two code proper security measures for it must be taken.
changing keys KIK-18/TSEC. The computer An IFF subsystem training set is available
and code changing keys (when set with clas- for training purposes and is described in
sified code) are classified CONFIDENTIAL, chapter 13.

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FM 44-18-1

The programmer/battery charger pro- tinues operating in Mode 3 until the batteries
grams the IFF interrogator and charges the are discharged or until the interrogator is
interrogator batteries. Each function may be reprogrammed.
done separately or both may be done at the In the Mode 4/3 position (the normal set-
same time. Section headquarters personnel ting used for programming), the interrogator
normally program and recharge the interro- is programmed to interrogate in Modes 4 and
gator and battery. A brief description of each 3. Initial interrogation is made in Mode 4. If
function follows. The -10 operator’s manual
and the KAM225C/TSEC may be consulted there is no Mode 4 reply by the aircraft or the
for more detailed interrogator programming reply is incorrect, the interrogator automati-
and battery charging procedures. Also, the cally switches to Mode 3 and interrogates
code book (AKAK) contains coded key num- again.
bers and instructions for destruction of the In the Mode 4 position, the interrogator is
code book. The code book is kept at custodial programmed to interrogate in Mode 4 only.
level. Custodians will extract and annotate The interrogator will not automatically inter-
the code tables with the effective dates to rogate in Mode 3 after an incorrect Mode 4
support the situation. reply. Certain situations may require that the
interrogator be programmed for Mode 4 only
BATTERY CHARGING operation. Tactical standing operating pro-
cedures (TSOP) dictate where the interroga-
The battery charger can charge up to six tors will be programmed in this matter.
interrogator batteries at one time. It takes a
minimum of 4 hours to fully charge the bat- Programming is done every 2 or 3 days,
teries. Additional charge time will not hurt depending upon the tactical situation. The
the batteries. A freshly charged battery is interrogator may be programmed—
installed in the interrogator prior to By having each team turn in its interroga-
programming. tor to section headquarters every 3 days or
less. It can be exchanged for another, if
INTERROGATOR PROGRAMMING available, or it can be programmed and then
After a charged battery is installed, the returned to the team.
IFF interrogator is manually programmed
for 4 days of operation. The code changing By having the section headquarters visit
key is used to insert the proper Mode 4 codes each team every 3 days to program the
into the computer (Mode 3 codes are already interrogator.
built into the interrogator). The programmer By using spare interrogators. These can be
provides the means for extracting the Mode 4 programmed at section headquarters, taken
codes from the computer and inserting them to the teams, and exchanged there. The team’s
into the interrogator. interrogator would then be taken to section
Either one of two programs is selected by headquarters, programmed, and held for
operating a function switch on the program- another team exchange. The exchange can
mer. For either program, a 4-day countdown be done by liaison visits. For further informa-
period is started in the interrogator by the tion on how to set the code changer key and
programmer. At the end of the 4-day period, load the computer, refer to Limited Mainte-
an automatic time clock stops. The interroga- nance Manuals KIR-lA/TSEC; KII-lA/
tor switches to Mode 3 operation and con- TSEC; and KAM 225C/ SEC.

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 FM 44-18-1

SELF-CHECK
Another function of the programmer is to with a known friendly aircraft having an
self-check the interrogator after data transfer. operational and correctly coded Mode 4 trans-
An audio signal confirms that the interroga- ponder. The friendly aircraft is interrogated
tor is operational and has accepted the pro- to verify that the interrogator’s Mode 4 codes
gram selected by the programmer. An addi- are correct.
tional test should be made by coordinating

SHIPPING AND STORAGE CONTAINERS

The following paragraphs describe the shipping and storage containers for the Stinger
weapon system.

MISSILE-ROUND CONTAINER
This container is a wooden box which provides adequate protection for one
missile-round and two or three BCUs during shipping and storage. It also
contains one set of ear plugs. These items, in a cardboard box, are wrapped in a
sealed barrier bag, with desiccant, for protection against the environment. A
humidity indicator is enclosed in the bag to indicate moisture content. The bag is
inside a fiber-board liner which is inside the wooden box. Two of these boxes,
containing missile-rounds, are issued to each team as the remaining part of
their basic load. As rounds are expended, the gunner simply opens a missile-
round container, removes the missile round, mates the gripstock assembly from
the expended round to the new missile round, and installs a BCU. He then has a
new ready-round to use, if needed. Empty missile-round containers and dun-
nage are kept to maintain the shape of the load in the trailer until resupply. At
this time, the empty containers are replaced with full containers.

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 FM 44-18-1

WEAPON-ROUND CONTAINER
This container is an aluminum box which provides environmental protec-
tion for one weapon round and several BCUs during shipping and storage. Inside
each container is one set of ear plugs. The container is equipped with four
latches, handles for two-man carry, a pressure relief valve, humidity indicator,
and a BCU storage area (for either three or five BCUs). Four of these containers
with weapons are issued to each team as part of its basic load. The containers
will be reused.

READY RACK
A container is converted to a ready rack by releasing the latches which make
the ready round (a weapon-round with BCU installed) readily accessible. When
used as a ready rack, the closed container provides limited environmental
protection for the ready round. The ready rack setup helps provide the capability
for a gunner to open the container, remove, shoulder, and prepare the weapon
for engagement within 10 seconds.

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 FM 44-18-1

TRANSPORT HARNESS
The four weapon-round and two missile-round containers are secured
within the M416 1/4-ton trailer by a nylon webbing assembly called a transport
harness. A strap runs Lengthwise over the center of the 1/4-ton cargo trailer and
fastens to either end of the trailer by strap fasteners. This strap passes through
two more straps which connect to the sides of the trailer. The quick-release
buckles allow immediate access to the weapons. Another strap passes through
the first three straps and runs completely around the outside of the top three
containers.

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 FM 44-18-1

IFF INTERROGATOR CONTAINER

This fiberglass container stores the IFF interrogator, battery, and intercon-
necting cable. The container is not pressurized, but it does contain a pressure
relief valve to release any pressure build-up within the container.

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 CHAPTER 2

Weapon Handling
Upon receipt of a Stinger weapon-round from the ammuni-
tion supply point (ASP), it must be checked to be sure it is
suitable for firing. The weapon should be removed from the
shipping and storage container and inspected in accordance
with (IAW) the “services upon receipt” checks, which are found
in TM 9-1425-429-12. This manual does not cover preventive
maintenance checks and services (PMCS). However, this chap-
ter does contain an abbreviated set of weapon checks which
may be made under field conditions when the time and tactical
situation permit. Such a time may be at (or near) the ASP or
when converting a missile-round to a ready-round. In addition,
this chapter describes weapon handling and safety precau-
tions which must be followed by Stinger gunners to prevent
injury to personnel and damage to equipment.

STINGER HANDLING PROCEDURES

When the Stinger team first receives a The Stinger weapon-round and IFF inter-
weapon, the markings on the container (case) rogator containers are sealed to prevent environ-
should be checked to be sure that it contains mental damage. Before either case is opened,
the proper weapon. Yellow squares, on two the pressure relief valve should be pressed
diagonally opposite corners on the case and with the finger. When the rushing noise (if
yellow data markings, indicate it contains a any) stops, the internal pressure of the case is
live round.
Containers for trainers are marked with CONTENTS
blue colored squares for the tracking head
Page
trainer (THT) and bronze for the field han-
dling trainer (FHT). In addition, the data Stinger Handling Procdures. . . . . . . . . . . .2-1
markings are white and these containers Weapon Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2
have the word “INERT” on the top of the Safety Precautions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
case.

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