Article Posted on : - Apr 06, 2011

A Boeing photo

HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA (BNS): The US Army has conducted the first test launch of an AGM-114 Hellfire missile with support from Boeing at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

The missile was fired from a modified Avenger weapon system as part of Boeing's continuing development of the Avenger-derived Adaptive Force Protection System (AFPS).

The test evaluated the feasibility of adding the Hellfire missile and Hydra 2.75-inch rocket capabilities to the Army's Avenger system.

Boeing designed, built and installed the mechanical integration equipment to mate the Hellfire and rocket launchers to the Avenger, and supported the live firing at the test site.

Avenger was originally designed as an air defence system, but other ground defence capabilities, such as Hellfire, are being considered to expand the system’s range and versatility.

The Avenger turret can be mounted on a variety of vehicles, including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, or used as a stand-alone, fixed-mounted weapon station, Boeing said in a release.