Bradley Control Electronics

• The Bradley control electronics (BCE) is the main computer that monitors and controls all Stinger-related system functions. The primary function of the BCE is to be the interface between Linebacker systems and the operator. Through this interface, the operator provides input to the BCE that controls the Stinger system. The BCE also monitors input from the system, including built-in-test (BIT) status. If a system failure is detected, the BCE will cause the system fault indictor on the SCB to illuminate and display an error message on the control display terminal (CDT).

  Control Display Terminal

• The Control Display Terminal (CDT) is a hand-held terminal mounted between the commander and gunner positions. It has an 80-character black-light liquid crystal display (LCD) and a function keypad for data input. The CDT displays essential operational information and allows the gunner or commander direct interface with the BCE.

  Sighting System

• The sighting system consists of a Stinger vision module (SVM) and the Stinger vision module electronics (SVME). The SVM mounts directly to the existing Bradley Integrated Sight Unit (ISU) and displays the missile status, target data, and system status to the gunner. The SVME interfaces the SVM to the BCE and displays symbology generated by the BCE.

  IFF System

• The IFF system components include the IFF antenna, interconnecting box, and the IFF interrogator. Targets are interrogated by pressing the inner thumb switch forward on the gunner’s hand station. The IFF antenna transmits signals from the IFF interrogator and receives the response signals from the subject target. The result of the interrogation is announced over the intercom system as a series of tones. The IFF interrogator is an AN/PPX-3B Stinger interrogator. The IFF can be dismounted to support MANPADS operations.

  Missile System

• The missile system consists of the Stinger missile pod and the Interface Electronic Assembly (IEA). The missile pod holds up to four ready-to-fire Stinger missiles. It contains two argon bottles to cool down missile seeker heads, and two Launcher Electronic Assemblies (LEA) that control missile: selection, gyro drive, coolant control, cycling, signal processing, and firing. Loading and unloading missiles is accomplished through upper and lower access doors. The missile pod is mounted on a retractable platform. The platform contains an erector motor and a latch solenoid/sensor combination to ensure the platform is locked in place prior to missile firing. The pod is mounted in an armor protective box that also provides an alignment plate for azimuth boresighting.

  Command and Control

• The Linebacker is equipped with FAAD C³ I equipment, single channel ground and airborne radio system (SINCGARS), enhanced position, location and reporting system (EPLRS), precision lightweight global positioning system receiver (PLGR), simplified handheld terminal unit (SHTU) and automatic slew-to-cue. This allows the Linebacker to receive early warning information and enables the Linebacker to accomplish early engagement.

  Operation Desert Storm Enhancements

• The following are the ODS recommendations for the Bradley Linebacker:

• • Missile Countermeasure Device

  • Global Position System Digital Compass

  • Vehicle stowage improvements

  • Battlefield Combat Identification System

  • Driver’s Thermal Viewer upgrade

  Missile Countermeasure Device

  2. The Missile Countermeasure Device (MCD) system is mounted on top of the turret forward of the gunner's hatch. It generates infrared radiation (IR) and directs it through the front window of the MCD unit. When the turret is turned toward an incoming antitank guided missile (ATGM), the IR causes the operation of the missile to lose electronic guidance control by sending inaccurate course correction signals. The inaccurate signals cause the missile to fly off course and crash. The MCD can defeat a variety of current first and second generation ATGMS (TOW, Dragon, HOT, Milan, AT-4-5-6-7 and Swingfire). The system effectiveness can be limited by the angle of coverage, the battlefield's haze, and any dust or mud accumulated on the system window.

     Global Position System Digital Compass

  3. The PLGR, composed of an antenna and a GPS receiver, provides the user with precise position coordinates, time, and navigation under all conditions if there are no obstructions between satellite signals and the antenna. Map coordinates can be entered as waypoints. When a waypoint is selected as a destination, the receiver can provide steering indications, azimuth, and range information to the destination. A desired course to a waypoint can be programmed and offset. Distance for this course line may be indicated also. The PLGR can be removed from the vehicle and operated in a hand-held mode.

     Stowage

  4. Vehicle stowage improvements added to the Linebacker:

  • Changed crew seating to a bench seat configuration

  • Added a tenth seat

  • Added two javelin and three AT-4 weapons to replace the light antitank weapon (LAW)

  • Added three 50-round 25mm ammunition containers

  • Provided heater-mounted Meals Ready to Eat (MRE)

  • Added chassis electrical outlet

  • Improved gunner's seat

  • Improved exterior storage

  • Improved lift mechanism for the engine access-door

  Battlefield Combat Identification System

  2. Combat and combat service support forces to positively identify (or be identified by), other BCIS-equipped friendly ground and air vehicles use the Battlefield Combat Identification System (BCIS). The BCIS will be used to minimize the risk of fratricide during the conduct of land battle.

     Driver's Thermal Viewer

  3. The upgrade to the driver's viewer is not available at this time. The driver's thermal viewer is currently under evaluation. http://www.fas.org/spp/starwars/docops/fm44-100-2fd/3-08.jpg
     Figure 3-8. Avenger Weapon System

     AVENGER weapon system

  4. The Avenger provides mobile short-range air defense protection to divisions, armored cavalry regiments, and corps air defense brigades. Avenger can counter threat aerial platforms in day or night environments.

     System Description

  5. The Avenger fire unit (figure 3-8) has eight ready-to-fire Stinger missiles in two turret-mounted standard vehicle missile launchers (SVML), an M3P .5O-caliber machine gun, a sensor package with forward-looking infrared receiver (FLIR), laser range finder (LRF) and IFF. It has an optical sight and digital fire control system. The Avenger is capable of firing basic, post, and RMP versions of the Stinger missile. The electrically driven gyro stabilized turret is mounted on the M1097 HMMWV (figure 3-9). The Avenger can launch a Stinger missile and fire the machine gun on the move with the gunner in the turret.

  6. The Avenger firing sequence is entirely automated, including super-elevation and lead. The gunner, upon receiving hostile target identification, fires a missile and then selects and prepares the next missile for firing.

  7. The Stinger missiles carried on the Avenger weapon system is capable of being reconfigured to a MANPADS role when necessary. An Avenger is air transportable by CH47D and UH60L helicopters and can be transported in C-5, and C-l30 aerial platforms. http://www.fas.org/spp/starwars/docops/fm44-100-2fd/3-09.gif
     Figure 3-9. M1097 HMMWV Characteristics

     Communications Equipment

  8. Onboard communications equipment consists of the Enhanced Position Location Reporting System (EPLRS) and the Single Channel Ground and Air Radio System (SINCGARS).

     Turret (Gunner's Station)

  9. The Avenger turret provides the gunner with unobstructed fields of fire. It can rotate through 360° degrees of azimuth and from negative 10 degrees to positive 68 degrees in elevation. The SVML pods are mounted on each side of the turret and contain four Stinger missiles each. Reload time is less than six minutes.

  10. The Avenger turret drive is gyro-stabilized to maintain the missile pod aiming direction regardless of vehicle motion. The gunner controls the operation of the turret, missile launch, and machine gun firing from the gunner's station.

      M3P .50-Caliber Machine Gun

  11. The M3P .50-caliber machine gun is turret mounted, with a basic load of 200 rounds, and is belt-fed through a flexible feed chute. It is used for self-protection from hostile air targets inside the Stinger missile dead zone or against threatening ground targets.

      Remote Control Unit

  12. The Avenger gunner can operate the system remotely up to a distance of 50 meters using the Remote Control Unit (RCU). The hand control switches and indicators on the RCU are the same as those on the gunner's console. Adjustments to the FLIR console cannot be made from the RCU. As the environment or weather changes, it is critical that the FLIR be kept properly adjusted at all times so that the RCU remains effective (figure 3-10). http://www.fas.org/spp/starwars/docops/fm44-100-2fd/3-10.jpg
      Figure 3-10. Avenger Remote Control Unit (RCU)

       

      Sensor

  13. The Avenger FU is equipped with a sensor system for target acquisition which includes:

  • Forward Looking Infrared Receiver (FLIR)

  • Automatic Video Tracker (AVT)

  • Missile Reticule

  • Interrogator Friend or Foe (IFF)

  • Laser Range Finder (LRF)

  Forward looking infrared receiver (FLIR)

  2. The FLIR provides enhanced acquisition capability in various environments: night, smoke, rain, background clutter, and haze. Once a target is detected and acquired using magnified FLIR optics, the gunner may manually track the target or use the FLIR automatic video-tracking feature. The AVT is a subsystem of FLIR.

  3. The automatic tracking systems use signals from the uncaged Stinger missile seeker and FLIR video auto tracker to track the target until the gunner is ready to fire. These automatic tracking features allow the gunner to concentrate on target identification.

     Missile Reticule

  4. To aim the missiles, the gunner looks through a transparent sight glass. On the sight glass, the gunner will see the projection of a driven reticule display. The reticule indicates the aiming point of the missile seeker, confirming to the gunner that the missile seeker is locked on the same target he is tracking and planning to engage. The missile reticule aids engagement.

     Interrogator Friend or Foe (IFF)

  5. The Avenger IFF subsystem is activated by the gunner. It permits the gunner to identify aerial platforms equipped with Mode 1, Mode 3, or Mode 4 programmed transponders as friend possible friend or unknown. In normal operation the system provides a coded interrogation signal for transmission from the FU to the unidentified aerial platform. A reply is automatically generated and transmitted by a friendly aerial platform. The evaluation of the reply (or failure to reply) results in a friendly Mode 1, Mode 3, Mode 4 or unknown tone sequence in the Avenger communications system. Based on this tone sequence, the gunner or squad leader takes appropriate action for target engagement.

     Laser Range Finder (LRF)

  6. The Avenger's fire control system processes data from the LRF and displays an advisory fire permit symbol for missile and gun use in the sight and FLIR display. The fire permit function maximizes use of the Stinger's engagement boundaries.