FIM-92 Stinger

The FIM 92 Stinger missile system, referred to as the XFIM-92 during development, is a personal portable infrared homing surface-to-air missile system developed in the United States and entered combat service in 1981.

Details
The FIM-92 Stinger was originally developed by General Dynamics in 1967 under the name of the Redeye II, as it was intended to replace the FIM-43 Redeye. It was accepted into development in 1971 and given the name FIM-92, with the appellation Stinger being applied in 1972.

During the Peace Walker Incident in 1974, Big Boss's group, the Militaires Sans Frontieres, managed to procure designs of the XFIM-92A, the prototype to the missile system, as a reward for their actions in stopping a vehicle unit during one of their out-of-Costa Rica missions. After developing the prototype weapon system, the Militaires Sans Frontieres eventually managed to improve its Lock-on capabilities.

Post-Peace Walker
Because of technical difficulties that dogged testing, the first shoulder launch test was delayed until mid-1975. Afterwards, production started by 1978, and was formally adopted into the United States Military by 1981. An improved version was later developed, codenamed the FIM-92B, followed by a further upgrade was developed at 1984 called the FIM-92C. During this time, the Stinger Missile system was issued to the United States Navy to be installed on their warships as point defense when they are stationed on Middle Eastern waters that required three people to man it. The Stinger Missiles saw action throughout various wars, including the Falkands War, the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, the Angolan Civil War, and the Invasion of Grenada. The FIM-92C entered production in 1987. Likewise, production of the FIM-92A and FIM-92B ended on that same year. The first examples of the FIM-92C were then delivered to frontline units in 1989. Development for a software upgrade for the sensors and softwar in future Stinger systems that would improve the systems performance against smaller targets started on 1992, and started production in 1995, of which the FIM-92E was designated under. In September 1993, the FIM-92 Stinger systems on United States Navy warships was decommissioned. In 1996, Block II was developed, which would have utilized a new focal plane array sensor to inprove the missile's effectiveness in high cluttered environments as well as increase the engagement range to approximately 7,600 meters.

During the Zanzibar Land Disturbance in 1999, the Stinger missile system was utilized by the Zanzibar Land Forces, both as a portable weapon and as one of the missile systems in their modified Mil Mi24 Hind Ds and Goliath Main Battle Tanks. Solid Snake managed to procure some Stinger missiles in the Zanzibar Fortress's Hangar building before they were loaded onto one of Zanzibar Land's war machines and used them to shoot down a Hind D that was between him and the Tower building.

Post-Zanzibar Land
In 2001, a software upgrade for the Stinger was designated FIM-92F.

During the Shadow Moses Incident in 2005, Solid Snake needed to find a Stinger missile system to fight Liquid's Hind D, as he didn't stand a chance against it without the missile system. After procuring one, he fought against the Hind D and managed to shoot it down. Snake later utilized the Stinger in his fight against Metal Gear REX, eventually destroying the cockpit after Gray Fox destroyed the Radome.

During the Big Shell Incident in 2009, Solidus, in his Harrier jet, attempted to attack the Kasatka that Snake and Otacon were using. Snake gave Raiden a Stinger missile system for him to cover fire to shoot down the Harrier. Afterwards, Raiden used the Stinger missile system to take down several unmanned Metal Gear RAY models before getting exhausted.

Behind the Scenes
The Stinger makes an appearance in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Snake has to pay Drebin 100,000 DP to use it.