What is Stinger Missile?

The FIM-92 Stinger is a man-portable surface-to-air missile system (MANPADS) that was designed and manufactured by the American Defense Industry.

What is Stinger Missile?
Table of Contents

About Stinger Missile:

  • The FIM-92 Stinger is a man-portable surface-to-air missile system (MANPADS) that was designed and manufactured by the American Defense Industry.
  • The system entered into service with the U.S. Army in 1981.
  • Used currently by the U.S. armed forces and 29 other countries, it is manufactured by Raytheon Missile Systems and under license by EADS in Germany. 
  • It was designed to provide air defense capabilities to the United States and allied troops when forward deployed and thus eliminate the immediate need for air support should an enemy aircraft threaten the troops.
  • Features:
    • The missile is 1.52 m long and 70 mm in diameter, with 10 cm fins. 
    • It is lightweight. The missile and its launcher weigh about 15 kilograms. The launcher is reusable.
    • It can be carried and fired by troops or mounted to a vehicle and used as short-range defense against aircraft.
    • It uses a passive infrared seeker. The infrared seeker can lock on to the heat the target is producing.
    • It is a “fire-and-forget” weapon, meaning it requires no input from the gunner once it’s fired.
    • It can hit targets flying as high as 11,500 feet (3,500 meters), and has a range of about 5 miles (8 kilometers). 

Q1: What is Igla-S?

Igla-S is a man-portable air defence system (MANPADS) developed by Russia. It is a hand-held defence system that can be operated by an individual or crew. It is designed to bring down low-flying aircraft and can also identify and neutralise air targets such as cruise missiles and drones.

Source: NATO signs $700 mn Stinger Missile contract in push for defence boost

Update Icon
Latest UPSC Exam 2026 Updates

Date IconLast updated on March, 2026

UPSC Final Result 2025 is now out.

→ UPSC has released UPSC Toppers List 2025 with the Civil Services final result on its official website.

Anuj Agnihotri secured AIR 1 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025.

UPSC Marksheet 2025 is now out.

UPSC Notification 2026 & UPSC IFoS Notification 2026 is now out on the official website at upsconline.nic.in.

UPSC Calendar 2026 has been released.

→ Check out the latest UPSC Syllabus 2026 here.

UPSC Prelims 2026 will be conducted on 24th May, 2026 & UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st August 2026.

→ The UPSC Selection Process is of 3 stages-Prelims, Mains and Interview.

→ Prepare effectively with Vajiram & Ravi’s UPSC Prelims Test Series 2026 featuring full-length mock tests, detailed solutions, and performance analysis.

→ Enroll in Vajiram & Ravi’s UPSC Mains Test Series 2026 for structured answer writing practice, expert evaluation, and exam-oriented feedback.

→ Join Vajiram & Ravi’s Best UPSC Mentorship Program for personalized guidance, strategy planning, and one-to-one support from experienced mentors.

Shakti Dubey secures AIR 1 in UPSC CSE Exam 2024.

→ Also check Best UPSC Coaching in India

Vajiram Content Team
Vajiram Content Team
UPSC GS Course 2026
UPSC GS Course 2026
₹1,75,000
Enroll Now
GS Foundation Course 2 Yrs
GS Foundation Course 2 Yrs
₹2,45,000
Enroll Now
UPSC Mentorship Program
UPSC Mentorship Program
₹85000
Enroll Now
UPSC Sureshot Mains Test Series
UPSC Sureshot Mains Test Series
₹19000
Enroll Now
Prelims Powerup Test Series
Prelims Powerup Test Series
₹8500
Enroll Now
Enquire Now