3 ms·
US weapons are designed to be continuously upgraded with new technology as it becomes available. The current weapon carrying the Stinger name (FIM-92) is state-
by jandrewrogers 3y ago
US weapons are designed to be continuously upgraded with new technology as it becomes available. The current weapon carrying the Stinger name (FIM-92) is state-of-the-art and has more capable terminal guidance than MANPADS like Starstreak (which is a beam rider).
The introduction date of US weapons has little bearing on their sophistication due to the Ship of Theseus upgrades, and most were a decade or two ahead of their counterparts when released anyway. Most can be upgraded or downgraded to a specific version/standard on demand. Downgrades are commonly done for export of US military inventory.