AVENGER MODS

The AVENGER MODS program is a line item in the Army's Missile Procurement budget, specifically under the Modification of Missiles activity. The Avenger system is a lightweight, mobile ground-to-air missile and gun platform designed to defend against unmanned aircraft systems, cruise missiles, and both fixed and rotary wing aerial threats. Mounted on a High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), the Avenger system provides rapid target engagement, day/night and adverse weather operations, shoot-on-the-move capability, and remote firing options. The overarching goal of the AVENGER MODS line item is to maintain and enhance the operational effectiveness of the Army's Avenger fleet through targeted modifications and upgrades.

The primary objective of the AVENGER MODS program is to address obsolescence and extend the service life of the existing Avenger systems. The Army currently fields 421 Avenger units, with 169 of these equipped with a digital Slew-to-Cue (STC) capability that accelerates target detection and engagement. The Service Life Extension Program (MOD-SLEP) encompasses both the Avenger Production Improvement Program and the Avenger MODS element, focusing on critical component upgrades to ensure continued operational capability through the end of the system's economic life.

Key modifications under the MOD-SLEP initiative include upgrades to the Targeting Console (TC), the M3P .50 Caliber Machine Gun, the Avenger Fire Control Computer (AFCC), the Mode 5 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system, Vehicle Internal Communications (VIC-5), and Assured Positioning Navigation and Timing (A-PNT) hardware. The TC and AFCC enhancements are specifically fielded to the 169 STC-equipped Avenger systems, improving their digital targeting and fire control capabilities. The M3P machine gun is upgraded through attrition, ensuring that all systems maintain effective close-in defense capabilities.

The Mode 5 IFF, VIC-5, and A-PNT hardware upgrades are distributed across all 421 Avenger systems. The Mode 5 IFF system is critical for minimizing fratricide by improving the identification of friendly aircraft. The VIC-5 upgrade enhances internal vehicle communications, supporting better coordination and situational awareness for operators. The A-PNT hardware introduces M-Code capability, which provides assured positioning, navigation, and timing, thereby increasing resilience against electronic warfare and GPS spoofing threats.

Funding for the AVENGER MODS line item in FY 2026 is not requested, as noted in the budget justification. Previous years have seen investment supporting both active and reserve components of the Armed Forces. This ensures that Avenger systems remain viable for homeland defense missions, domestic emergency responses, and military support to civil authorities, as mandated by Section 1815 of the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act.

The Avenger Production Improvement Program is a related effort within the MOD-SLEP framework, focusing on production-level enhancements to the Avenger system. These improvements are designed to streamline manufacturing processes, reduce maintenance costs, and incorporate new technologies that address emerging threats. By integrating lessons learned from operational deployments, the program ensures that future modifications are both cost-effective and aligned with evolving mission requirements.