The US Army has announced that it has found a solution to its Stinger missile stock problem, which has been plaguing the service for years. The Stinger missile is a short-range, air defense weapon that can be fired from a shoulder launcher or a vehicle-mounted system. It is designed to engage low-altitude, fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles.
The problem with the Stinger missile is that it has a limited shelf life of about 10 years, after which it becomes unreliable and unsafe to use. The Army has been struggling to maintain its inventory of Stinger missiles, which are essential for countering the growing threats from drones and other low-flying targets. The Army has been relying on buying new missiles from the manufacturer, Raytheon, or refurbishing old ones, but both options are costly and time-consuming.
The solution that the Army has found is to use a new technology called the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), which can extend the shelf life of the Stinger missile by up to 15 years. The SLEP involves replacing the missile’s battery, rocket motor, and other components with newer and more reliable ones. The SLEP also upgrades the missile’s software and hardware to improve its performance and compatibility with modern platforms.
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The Army has about 19,000 Stingers in its arsenal, but only about 6,000 of them are serviceable, according to a recent report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The rest are either expired, damaged, or undergoing maintenance. The GAO found that the Army faces several challenges in managing its Stinger inventory, such as:
A lack of reliable data on the condition and location of the missiles. A shortage of qualified personnel and equipment to inspect and repair the missiles. A high demand for the missiles from operational units and allies. A limited supply of new missiles from the manufacturer.
The GAO recommended that the Army improve its data collection and analysis, increase its inspection and repair capabilities, prioritize its missile requirements, and coordinate with the manufacturer to address the supply issues. The Army concurred with most of the recommendations and is taking steps to implement them.
The Stinger missile is an important asset for the Army, especially in an era of increasing threats from unmanned aerial systems and near-peer adversaries. The Army needs to ensure that it has enough Stingers to meet its current and future needs, and that it can maintain them effectively and efficiently.
The Army has awarded a contract to Raytheon to perform the SLEP on up to 7,000 Stinger missiles over the next five years. The SLEP will not only save the Army money and time, but also enhance its air defense capabilities and readiness. The Army expects to receive the first batch of SLEP-modified Stinger missiles by the end of this year.
The fate of the JCPOA and Iran’s nuclear ambitions
Iran has announced that it is constructing a new nuclear reactor in the city of Isfahan, a major industrial and cultural center in central Iran. The reactor, which will be used for research and medical purposes, is expected to be completed by 2026, according to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI).
The AEOI said that the reactor will have a capacity of 10 megawatts and will use low-enriched uranium as fuel. The reactor will also produce radioisotopes for medical and industrial applications, such as cancer treatment and agriculture.
The AEOI claimed that the reactor will be under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and will comply with the safeguard’s agreement between Iran and the world.
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States over the 2015 nuclear deal, which was abandoned by former President Donald Trump in 2018. The deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), aimed to limit Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
However, since the US withdrawal and reimposition of sanctions, Iran has gradually breached some of the deal’s key provisions, such as enriching uranium beyond the agreed limits and installing advanced centrifuges.
Iran insists that its nuclear program is peaceful and that it has the right to develop nuclear technology for civilian purposes. It also says that it is willing to return to full compliance with the JCPOA if the US lifts all sanctions and rejoins the deal.
The current US administration, led by President Joe Biden, has expressed interest in reviving the JCPOA, but has also demanded that Iran reverse its violations first. The two sides have been engaged in indirect talks in Vienna since April 2021, but have not yet reached a breakthrough.
The new reactor in Isfahan is not part of the JCPOA and is not subject to the same restrictions as Iran’s other nuclear facilities. According to Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI), the reactor will have a capacity of 10 megawatts and will use low-enriched uranium as fuel. The AEOI also claims that the reactor will not produce plutonium, a key ingredient for nuclear weapons.
The international community has reacted cautiously to Iran’s announcement. Some countries, such as Russia and China, have welcomed Iran’s efforts to develop nuclear medicine and have expressed support for the JCPOA negotiations. Others, such as Israel and some Arab states, have voiced concern that Iran’s nuclear activities pose a threat to regional stability and security. They have also accused Iran of pursuing a covert nuclear weapons program and of supporting militant groups across the Middle East.
The fate of the JCPOA and Iran’s nuclear ambitions remains uncertain as the talks in Vienna continue. Both sides face domestic pressures and external challenges that complicate the prospects of reaching a lasting agreement. The new reactor in Isfahan adds another dimension to the complex and contentious issue of Iran’s nuclear program.
The negotiations, which began in April 2021, are aimed at restoring the JCPOA and bringing both the US and Iran back into full compliance. However, the talks have faced many challenges and obstacles, such as political changes in both countries, regional tensions, technical issues and mutual distrust.
The latest round of talks, which started on November 29, 2023, has been described as “the last chance” to save the deal by some diplomats and analysts. However, there is still no clear sign of a breakthrough or a compromise. The main sticking points