Exclusive Report: New version of U.S. Army M-SHORAD air defense vehicle to feature next-generation short-range missile.

According to information published by the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) in June 2025, the U.S. Army is advancing its Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) Increment 3 program to enhance its short-range air defense capabilities. This initiative, developed under the Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) rapid prototyping framework, aims to replace the legacy FIM-92 Stinger surface-to-air missile with the Next Generation Short Range Interceptor (NGSRI). The NGSRI is designed to provide improved range, targeting precision, and lethality against modern aerial threats including fast-moving drones, cruise missiles, and low-flying aircraft.
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Current U.S. Army M SHORAD air defense vehicle based on Stryker A1 equipped with Stinger surface-to-air missiles along with 30mm automatic cannon and radar sensor suite. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The current U.S. Army M-SHORAD air defense vehicle, based on the Stryker A1 8x8 armored vehicle, is equipped with a comprehensive weapons suite. This includes four FIM-92 Stinger missiles, two AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire missile launchers, a 30mm XM914 automatic cannon, and a 7.62mm M240 machine gun. The system also features a multi-mission radar and electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors for autonomous target detection, tracking, and engagement across a 360-degree arc.

However, operational feedback and technical assessments have led the U.S. Army to reconsider the use of the Hellfire missile on the M-SHORAD vehicle. Mounting the Hellfire launchers on the sides of the Stryker has caused wear and tear on the missiles due to vibration and field conditions, raising safety concerns. As a result, the Army plans to remove the Hellfire missile system from future M-SHORAD configurations. Instead, the launchers will be replaced with additional Stinger missile pods, increasing the loadout from four to eight Stinger missiles per vehicle. This modification will simplify logistics and improve the platform’s survivability in sustained operations.

The replacement of the Stinger with the Next NGSRI (Generation Short Range Interceptor) in M-SHORAD Increment 3 marks a transformative leap in combat capability. While the Stinger surface-to-air missile has served effectively since the early 1980s, it is constrained by its single-mode infrared guidance, a maximum range of approximately 4,800 meters, and a ceiling of 3,800 meters. The Stinger’s 3 kg high-explosive warhead is effective against traditional aircraft but lacks the power and precision required to defeat modern, maneuvering, and hardened aerial threats.

The NGSRI is being engineered to overcome these limitations with advanced technology. It is expected to incorporate multi-mode seekers, combining radar, infrared, and electro-optical tracking to ensure high hit probability in environments where countermeasures and low-signature threats are common. The new interceptor is projected to have an extended engagement range of over 6 to 8 kilometers and superior maneuverability, enabling it to intercept high-speed, agile targets more effectively. The warhead will likely be more powerful, possibly using focused blast or fragmentation effects to guarantee destruction of both conventional and advanced threats.

To support this missile modernization, the U.S. Army is also developing a new type of 30mm ammunition tailored for the M-SHORAD Inc 3 platform. This new ammunition will improve accuracy and terminal effect against airborne threats, providing the vehicle with a multi-layered engagement capability that is not solely reliant on missile systems.

According to the U.S. GAO (Government Accountability Office), the M-SHORAD Increment 3 program is expected to transition from the rapid prototyping phase to a major capability acquisition program. A low-rate initial production decision is scheduled for fiscal year 2028. This timeline reflects the Army’s urgency in addressing the growing complexity and volume of aerial threats on future battlefields.

With the integration of the NGSRI, advanced 30mm munitions, and the restructuring of its missile configuration, the M-SHORAD Inc 3 vehicle will offer the U.S. Army a state-of-the-art mobile air defense system. This platform is set to provide unmatched protection for maneuvering units in high-threat environments, reinforcing the Army’s layered defense architecture. Army Recognition will continue to follow the development and fielding of this vital capability as it progresses toward operational deployment.