Talk:FIM-92 Stinger

This page really doesn't need the airlistbox at all. This is about a surface-to-air missile, not an aircraft of any kind. RADICALBENDER ★ 03:20, 6 Apr 2004 (UTC)

Cost

Someone providing the source for that flyaway cost would be a smart idea. -- Penta 18:29, 28 Oct 2004 (UTC)

I've added some more data for the costings from Janes, also I've adjusted the Lith. costings to assume 1/3rd of the money went on missiles. I guess if you only order 69 missiles, you don't get the same kind of volume discount you get when ordering 2,500. Megapixie 16:05, 25 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Foreign manufacture

The Stinger missile was also produced and serviced abroad, e.g. in Germany by Bodenseewerk Gerätetechnik (BGT). Production included the seeker heads. As far as I know the Swiss bought the licence to built them themselves too.

Comments

To be perfectly honest, I strongly believe all information as to supposed prices of the missile should be removed, as they are WIDELY inaccurate. Not only is the information strongly biased to what year the missiles were manufactured, theres other factors involved, such as was it sold as a missile or ready round? Were RPU's included? Was training equipment included in cost? An accurate gauging of todays real world pricing for these missiles shouldn't even be attempted unless someone can directly get this information from the manufacturer (which I very much do not think you will).

Further, I basically gaurantee what few stingers exist in non-scrupulous hands do not work these days. The BCU (batteries) have a nasty habit of getting destroyed / going bad very easily, and considering what tremendously poor conditions these missiles would be subjected to, I couldn't possibly imagine a single one of them working to this day. It's important to understand that the batteries are not at all 'normal' batteries that could be quickly jury-rigged. There is indeed a thermal battery which I suppose could conceivably be replaced, but the BCU's also provide a pressurized stream of argon gas to cool the IR seeker while obtaining and tracking a target.

The stinger is a rather effective weapon for all intents and purposes, however is very prone to the rigors of maltreatment. In short, there is very little to worry about for any rogue stingers out there.

Nice to see a contributor with some first hand knowledge of the subject :) Regarding the prices - the Lith. prices are somewhat speculative - but the other prices are all from Janes (i.e. a somewhat reputable source) - and the article clearly indicates when the contracts were signed. I don't understand what the rationale for removing the information is.

Regarding the rogue stingers - I agree - the problem isn't so much the original missiles, but Chinese, Pakistani or North Korean copies that have been made from the "lost" missiles. Megapixie 05:11, 13 December 2005 (UTC)[reply]

non-NPOV

"The very first Stinger fired in anger shot down an Argentine Pucara ground attack aircraft."

changed to:

"The very first Stinger fired in combat shot down an Argentine Pucara ground attack aircraft." 134.114.59.41 09:12, 3 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]