Archie to SAM: A Short Operational History of Ground-Based Air ...

FROM GUNS TO MISSILES
with both less intense infrared targets presented by small helicopters
and liaison aircraft and larger aircraft at certain angles.
Kill probability against high-performance aircraft would be less
than the 0.5 requirement, later reduced to 0.3. In addition,
weight increased to 29 pounds due to the steel motor case and
a more complex launching system. Thus, Army doubts were
confirmed by various problems the project encountered. The
result was that estimated research costs tripled, and the
schedule stretched so that it took almost seven years to field
an interim system (in October 1967). 59
The Army recognized these problems and in May 1961 agreed
to accept a less-capable weapon on an interim basis. Various
failures in what was intended as a demonstration of the system
in July and August 1961 dampened hopes for the Redeye
and forced delays to remedy the deficiencies. Nevertheless, on
12 October 1961, the Army introduced the missile to the public
in a demonstration to 300 onlookers, including Pres. John F.
Kennedy and Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara. But
the Redeye’s problems were not solved as shown later that
month, when six of seven missiles missed target drones by
more than 200 feet. The contractor solved some of the aerodynamic
problems but a year later still had not solved the
seeker difficulties: insufficient guidance accuracy and nontarget
infrared (IR) radiation. Nevertheless, the Army stuck with the
project and even began funding an improved weapon, initially
named Redeye II, later known as Stinger. 60
The contractor made good progress with Redeye’s major
technical problems with the exception of background rejection
and weight (exceeding the 22-pound requirement by a third).
Nevertheless, in late 1963, the Army decided to push Redeye
into limited production because of the need for this weapon. 61
Difficulties continued, in this case both reliability and production
problems stalled the missile in limited production
until December 1968. In February 1967, the Army issued Redeye
to the troops. The system was making progress with the
problem of background rejection but still lacked a lightweight
IFF system. Costs and continued problems created some congressional
resistance to the program. 62 But, by 1970, Redeye
met or exceeded all military requirements except weight. Pro-
100