M1097 Avenger

AN/TWQ-1 Avenger
An Avenger air defense missile system.
Type	Mobile air defense missile system
Place of origin	United States of America
Service history
In service	1989–present
Used by	United States Army United States Marine Corps
Production history
Manufacturer	Boeing
Produced	1980s–present
Specifications
Weight	8,600 lb (3900 kg)
Length	16 ft 3 in (4.95 m)
Width	7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)
Height	8 ft 8 in (2.64 m)
Crew	2 (Basic), 3 (STC)
Main armament	4/8 FIM-92 Stinger missiles
Secondary armament	.50 M3P machine gun
Engine	Detroit Diesel cooled V-8 135 hp (101 kW)
Operational range	275 miles (443 km)
Speed	55 mph (89 km/h)

The Avenger Air Defense System, designated AN/TWQ-1 under the Joint Electronics Type Designation System, is an American self-propelled surface-to-air missile system which provides mobile, short-range air defense protection for ground units against cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, low-flying fixed-wing aircraft, and helicopters.

The Avenger was originally developed for the United States Armed Forces and is currently used by the U.S. Army. The Avenger system was also used by the U.S. Marine Corps.

Originally developed as a private venture by Boeing in the 1980s, the Avenger was developed over a period of only 10 months from initial concept to delivery for testing to the U.S. Army. Initial testing was conducted in May 1984 at the Army's Yakima Training Center in the U.S. state of Washington. During testing three FIM-92 Stinger missiles were fired. During the first test firing the system achieved a direct hit while moving at 20 mph (30 km/h).

The second test firing, conducted at night while stationary, also achieved a direct hit. The third test firing, conducted while on the move and in the rain, did not achieve a direct hit, but did however, pass within the missile's kill range and the shot was scored as a tactical kill. All three test shots were conducted by operators who had never fired the missile before.

In 1987, the U.S. Army awarded the first production contract for 325 units. In 1989, the system began its Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) series of tests. The tests were conducted in two stages with Stage 1 consisting of acquisition and tracking trials at Fort Hunter Liggett, California and Stage 2 consisting of live-fire testing at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. In February 1990, the Avenger system was deemed operationally effective and began replacing the M163 and M167 VADS. Two variants were deployed based on the Humvee chassis: M998 HMMWV Avenger and M1097 Heavy HMMWV Avenger.