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
-
![DOK-ING presents CUAS MV-8 armed with Valhalla Mangart 25 turret]()
DOK-ING presents CUAS MV-8 armed with Valhalla Mangart 25 turret
The partnership between Croatia’s DOK-ING and Slovenia’s Valhalla Turrets reflects an effort to combine ground robots and with improved capabilities and new roles and follows Rheinmetall presenting its Ox with Dispatch charging docks from Valinor.
-
![British Army vehicle programme may be shifting gears again]()
British Army vehicle programme may be shifting gears again
The UK’s effort to replace thousands of vehicles across a dozen base vehicle types has had a troubled history and statements from the UK’s Defence Minster Luke Pollard indicate change may be on the way.
-
![EOS improving Slinger CUAS role as industry pushes forward]()
EOS improving Slinger CUAS role as industry pushes forward
EOS Defence Systems officially launched its Slinger anti-drone system in 2023. The system features a remote weapon station, visual sensors and a Northrop Grumman 30mm cannon with specially designed ammunition, combined with EOS’s stabilisation and pointing technology.
-
![Czech government developing a plan for air defence beyond 2030 alongside NATO integration]()
Czech government developing a plan for air defence beyond 2030 alongside NATO integration
The Czech Armed Forces is set to receive four Israeli-made SPYDER long-range missile defence systems, the first of which was delivered earlier this year. They will be a key part of the country’s multilayered air defence system.
