Boeing supports 1st Hellfire test launch from Avenger system
Boeing supported the US Army's first test launch of an AGM-114 Hellfire missile on Feb. 23 at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. The missile was fired from a modified Avenger weapon system as part of Boeing's continuing development of the Avenger-derived Adaptive Force Protection System (AFPS).
"The Avenger turret's ability to launch Hellfire missiles offers the warfighter another choice of weapon, one with significant ground firepower," said Phil Hillman, Avenger program manager for Boeing Network & Tactical Systems. "We continue to integrate and test additional capability on this system. Since Avenger is already in the Army inventory, upgrading Avengers instead of developing and fielding new systems has obvious cost advantages -- something that we believe is critically important in the current budget environment."
The test evaluated the feasibility of adding the Hellfire missile and Hydra 2.75-inch rocket capabilities to the Army's Avenger system. Boeing designed, built and installed the mechanical integration equipment to mate the Hellfire and rocket launchers to the Avenger, and supported the live firing at the test site.
Avenger was originally designed as an air defense system, but other ground defense capabilities, such as Hellfire, are being considered to expand the system's range and versatility. The Avenger turret can be mounted on a variety of vehicles, including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, or used as a stand-alone, fixed-mounted weapon station.
Source: Boeing
More from Land Warfare
-
Leonardo acquires Iveco Defence in $1.9 billion deal
The acquisition will help consolidate Leonardo’s position in the European land defence sector, aiding it in efforts to boost its domain “interoperability vision”, according to Leonardo’s CEO.
-
US orders more Humvees after Israeli contract, boosting vehicle’s prospects
The AM General High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV or Humvee) is one of the most widely used vehicles with more than 250,000 vehicles in service with as many as 20 countries. The orders are a boost for the platform which was singled out for a reduction in numbers in a recent US Army reform document.
-
DroneShield joins US Army’s Project FlyTrap as CUAS tests continues
The company’s participation in the exercise will not only test the CUAS solutions but help inform tactics for the US Army as it looks to expand and acquire more CUAS capabilities.
-
US approves more than $650 million in possible Foreign Military Sales to Ukraine
The possible sales focus on maintenance and sustainment for a variety of equipment used by the Ukrainian armed forces, notably air defence equipment, MIM-23 Hawk missiles, M109 howitzers and Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs).
-
IDEF 2025: Turkey to get new border surveillance vehicles
The vehicles are fitted with Aselsan Yanki gunshot detection system, Aselsan ACAR telescopic mast-mounted radar system and an Aselsan Shanin Gozu mast-mounted optical package.