The Avenger air defense system. (Source: courtesy.)

The Avenger is an American self propelled surface-to-air missile defense system, used to provide mobile, short-range air defense for ground forces.

It can be used to protect against cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), low-flying fixed-wing aircrafts and helicopters.

Lt. Gen. Kenneth Frank McKenzie. (Source: courtesy.)

The head of the US Central Command (In charge of the Middle East) Lt. Gen. Kenneth Frank McKenzie, recently said that, "the ever-growing threat posed by small unmanned aircraft, is the most concerning tactical development, since improvised explosive devices became the weapon of choice, for militants and terrorists in the region."

The US is deploying the Avenger air defense system to its forward operating bases in Syria.

The Avenger air defense system, has been in service with the United States Army and the United States Marine Corps since 1989.

Over 1,100 Avenger air defense systems, have been manufactured by Boeing, since the 1980s.

Soldiers firing an FIM-92 Stinger missile. (Source: courtesy.)

The main weapon used in the Avenger air defense system is the infrared homing surface-to-air missile, FIM-92 Stinger.

An Avenger air defense system firing an FIM-92 Stinger missile. (Source:courtesy.)

The Avenger air defense system has an operational range of 443 km giving the US army control over a very large airspace.

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