- Yes
- No
- (independent) BeNeLux tree
- France: BeNeLux subtree
- Germany
- Dutch (sub) tree
- other
- I voted ‘no’ in the previous poll
Hello all, today I want to present a semi-modern Dutch stop-gap measure approach to Short range air defence: The SWP-L also known as the Stinger Weapon Platform - Mercedes Benz, in service between 2007 and 2011.
TL;DR: A Mercedes-Benz 290GD armed with 2 stingers on a DMS mount
History
History
After the collapse of the Warsaw Pact in 1991, many reorganizations and cutbacks were implemented in the Dutch armed forces. In the army the anti-aircraft artillery was reduced to one division (25th Afdlua) with three batteries of Flycatcher/40L70G and five batteries of armored anti-aircraft artillery (PRTL). The Airmobile Brigade was provided with STINGER teams. Despite the cutbacks, investments were made in new systems and improvements to existing systems. The Army Ground Based Air Defense System (AGBADS) was introduced in the Army between 2006 and 2009, consisting of TRML radars and six Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) launchers for six AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles each. These systems were housed at the 11th and 13th Air Defense Batteries. To replace the PRTL and Flycatcher/40L70G, the Stinger Weapon Platform (SWP) Light (two Stingers on a gun carriage in the bed of a Mercedes-Benz GD250) and the SWP Medium (four Stingers on a Fennek chassis) were introduced in 2008. 18 Fenneks with the SWP turret were deployed to 13 Luchtverdedigingsbatterij ‘Ypenburg’. The silent engine and low silhouette of the Fennek were perfect for SHORAD. Alongside these 18 fenneks were 18 SWP lights that were also delivered to the same battalion, serving as SHORAD for the most mobile of units. The truck chassis of the Mercedes-Benz trucks of the army were modified by the DMO (aka: COMMIT) to fit the DMS (Dual-Mounted Stinger) platform from Hughes Missile Systems Company (Raytheon). Providing two Stinger launches on short sucession paired with the Dutch/German built-in IFF EW system, possibility of using the British passive IR scanner on vehicle mount or tripod and the US WASP thermal sight. The SWP-L was introduced in order to intesify the communications between ground radars and the MANPAD teams of the Joint Ground-based Air Defence Command, making it easier for ground teams to aquire targets using Radio, radar and IR-sight information instead of the lacking in-built equipment of the shoulder-fired launcher. However in 2011 this system was discontinued in favour of the far surperior SWP-M(edium) aka the Fennek SWP, which could do all these things better and faster.
Image above: Grondgebonden Luchtverdedigingscommando aka Joint Ground-based Air Defence Command
Verenigd op de grond, daadkrachtig in de lucht (“United on the ground, decisive in the air”)
Specifications
Weight Length Width Height ca. 3300-3500 kg 5,28 m 5,28 m ca. 3,8 m Crew: 2 (driver, gunner)
Armour: none
Speed: 123 km/h on road
Range: 600 km
Engine power: 7,5 kN
Armament Munition type FIM-92 Stinger SAM Mount Dual Mount Stinger (DMS) by Raytheon Ammunition 2 missiles in mount, 2 missiles in box as reserve Elevation & Traverse manual Night Vision Yes Fire Control IR camera & REPORTER: US portable graphic display set w/audio alert, VHF radio, and IFF
SWP-L in action
SWP-L in action:
On how to lock and recieve information like IFF with the DMS using REPORTER and the 'Visual Cueing Device'
With the electronic aiming device, linked to the Weapon Terminal aerial image information (REPORTER), the shooter is ‘guided’ in the direction of the air target using LED lights. The gunner manually turns the DMS in the correct direction based on the provided info of the ‘Visual Cueing Device’. The gunner can activate and fire 1 of the 2 Stinger missiles at a time, requiring a restart on the lock -on process for a second launch. In addition, 2 extra missiles are carried.
Place in War Thunder
This anti-air would be a clear downgrade of the ones that are currently in-game and would serve better as a secondary spawn after ex.g. a Fennek SWP or a SANTAL.
Regarding nations
Germany
Because this vehicle served only when the Dutch were not yet in a cooperation with the German militairy this vehicle would not really have a direct political connection to Germany outside of NATO.
BeNeLux
As the BeNeLux subtree for France has been announced in the update seek & destroy France has the highest chance of recieving dutch equipment., however an independent BeNeLux would also be very possible by the large amount of ground-, air- and naval vehicles that have been part of these nations. The three BeNeLux nations (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourgh) share a long history of economic cooperation through their union. However, this cooperation has not been limited to just matters of justice, economy or education. Policing and defence are also integrated for certain parts of these nations’ armed forces. Militairy donations to other nations go through the BeNeLux diplomatic channels regularly. For further info please go to: BeNeLux (Belgium, Netherlands & Luxembourg) Ground Forces.
The SWP-L would be a gimmick missile-based Short range Anti-air of a BeNeLux or Dutch tech tree.
Pictures
demonstration pictures & exercises
Sources
Sources
DMS:
- ODIN - OE Data Integration Network
- PM: Program Manager (Online) January February 2001 Issue - Google Boeken
SWP-L:
- https://web.archive.org/web/20180309120345/https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2009/01/06/nieuwe-stingersystemen-overgedragen
- Luchtdoelartillerie.nl
- Defensie Grondgebonden Luchtverdedigingscommando | Defensie.nl
- SWP Standalone | Fotoalbums van de Grondgebondenluchtverdediging
- Stinger-luchtdoelraket | Defensie.nl
- https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/videos/2022/02/26/uitleg-werking-stinger
- Luchtdoelartillerie (KL/LuA) / Materieel / Wapens / Raketsystemen / Stinger Weaponplatform [SWP] | Fotoalbums van de Grondgebondenluchtverdediging
