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
-
British Army details Ajax plans
Of the six variants in the Ajax programme – reconnaissance (Ajax), reconnaissance support (Ares), C2 (Athena), equipment repair (Apollo), equipment recovery (Atlas) and engineering reconnaissance (Argus) – the Ajax reconnaissance version is now entering service.
-
CV90 revels in northern exposure while looking for new customers (updated April 2025)
The BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90 IFV has been around for decades but continual refreshing to maintain power and relevance, along with a healthy market at home in Sweden and neighbouring countries, has led to more than 1,700 vehicle orders with 10 countries.
-
Oshkosh notches JLTV win with Dutch order
The order further extends the Oshkosh Defense production line as AM General, selected for US orders, pushes to get vehicles out the door with no room for export orders.
-
Dronebuster product line and production capability expanded
DZYNE Technologies, the maker of Dronebuster counter-uncrewed aerial system (C-UAS) devices, has announced plans to expand production and released details on a new version of the system. This follows the release of an all-in-one kit system earlier this year.
-
Ireland plans for radar capability in 2026
The Irish Government has previously outlined ambitious plans, the furthest reach of these being the possible purchase of fighter aircraft to provide a capability the country’s defence force currently doesn’t have. A more advanced procurement effort for a primary radar is being fast tracked.