Stinger trainer undergoes VSHORADS field trials
The Raytheon Stinger missile has undergone a series of Very Short Range Air Defense System (SHORADS) field trials in Finland, during which the company said it demonstrated ‘flawless' performance.
The trials saw six Finish gunners trained on three missile system tracking trainers. Using the trainer, each Finnish gunner successfully simulated tracking and engaging targets flown by the Finnish Army Materiel Command, including an F/A-18, NH-90 helicopter and Banshee drone.
The Stinger Weapon System is designed to provide advanced air defence for mobile forces via a high explosive hit-to-kill, blast-fragmentation warhead.
Raytheon believes the Stinger's performance is unmatched by any other SHORAD missile and has been demonstrated and validated by its extensive test and combat record; the Stinger missile has specifically demonstrated its ability to successfully engage rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles during numerous test flights and in combat.
Mark Nicol, program director of Raytheon Missile Systems' Stinger program, said: ‘The Stinger is best known for its Man-Portable Air-Defense System (MANPADS) variant, which gives the missile a surface-to-air capability, and these field trials prove that our competitors have yet to develop a MANPADS system that can truly outperform Stinger.
‘We have taken a system that has proven itself time and time again in critical combat situations, and have continually evolved the technology. The result is a system that is proven and designed for today's warfighter in current and future conflicts.’
According to Raytheon, Stinger has nearly 300 combat kills and a success rate of over 92 percent in more than 1,500 live fire tests by US and allied forces.
More from Land Warfare
-
![AUSA 2025: AM General Hawkeye awaits first production contract]()
AUSA 2025: AM General Hawkeye awaits first production contract
AM General presented its new Hawkeye at AUSA 2025 in Washington, with prototypes of the howitzer system having been trialled in Ukraine last year.
-
![AUSA 2025: Lionstrike lays out plans for British Army vehicle bid as competitors get ready]()
AUSA 2025: Lionstrike lays out plans for British Army vehicle bid as competitors get ready
In September 2025, BAE Systems announced that it was joining GM Defense and NP Aerospace to form Team Lionstrike. The team will be offering a version of GM Defense’s infantry support vehicle which is based on the commercial Colorado vehicle.
-
![AUSA 2025: KNDS France to bid for US Army requirement]()
AUSA 2025: KNDS France to bid for US Army requirement
The CAESAR Mk II, which was debuted internationally at Eurosatory last year, is a step up from the first model which has seen combat in Ukraine and the Middle East.
-
![AUSA 2025: IAI reveals robotic route clearance system]()
AUSA 2025: IAI reveals robotic route clearance system
The Elta 6631 has been developed using the experience of the Israel Defense Forces in route proving, and can be customised for various customers and circumstances.
-
![AUSA 2025: Boeing wins $2.7 billion PAC-3 production contract as it explores supply chain expansion]()
AUSA 2025: Boeing wins $2.7 billion PAC-3 production contract as it explores supply chain expansion
Boeing will work with prime contractor Lockheed Martin to boost PAC-3 production capacity to hit higher delivery targets, as demand for the interceptors continues to surge.
-
![AUSA 2025: AM General “on target” for JLTV full-rate production in 2026 as it uncrews a Humvee]()
AUSA 2025: AM General “on target” for JLTV full-rate production in 2026 as it uncrews a Humvee
AM General believes it has completed working with customers for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicles to reach a final version of the vehicle and to prepare to begin producing vehicles under full rate production.
