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Updated May 16, 2024
U.S. Army’s Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense
(M-SHORAD) System
Background
Figure 1. M-SHORAD Increment I
The Army is developing a new maneuver short-range air
defense system, or M-SHORAD to perform short-range air
defense, or SHORAD. The Army defines the SHORAD
mission as
[d]edicated air defense artillery (ADA) and non-
dedicated air defense capabilities that enable
movement
and
maneuver
by
destroying,
neutralizing, or deterring low altitude air threats to
defend critical fixed and semi-fixed assets and
maneuver forces.
Source: https://www.leonardodrs.com/what-we-do/products-and-
In the early 2000s, the Army divested ADA units from
services/m-shorad/.
Army force structure to free up personnel to create other
M-SHORAD Increment 1
types of units deemed more mission-critical at the time. The
Army supposedly accepted the risk because it believed the
M-SHORAD Increment 1 (Figure 1) was developed under
U.S. Air Force could maintain air superiority. After 2005,
the Other Transaction Authority contracting process. M-
SHORAD force structure was reduced to two battalions of
SHORAD uses the M-1126 Stryker combat vehicle as its
Active Component Avenger systems and Counter-Rocket,
chassis. The weapons and radar packages are configured by
Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) batteries and seven National
Leonardo DRS and then installed on the Stryker by General
Guard Avenger battalions.
Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS), the vehicle’s original
manufacturer. Leonardo DRS reports the multipurpose
Renewed Emphasis on SHORAD
unmanned turret includes
Since 2005, there has been a dramatic increase in air and
• two AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire missiles capable of
missile platforms that could threaten U.S. ground forces.
hitting ground targets;
The use of unmanned aerial systems (UASs) has increased
exponentially, and UASs have been used successfully in a
• four FIM-92 Stinger missiles for aerial targets in a
variety of conflicts, including the current Ukrainian
launcher (configured by Raytheon);
conflict. Given the increase in threat and limited air defense
• an XM914 30 mm automatic cannon;
assets available to Army divisions, the Army decided to
improve the air defense posture of its maneuver forces.
• an M-240 7.62 mm machine gun; and
M-SHORAD Requirement
• a multi-mission radar capable of tracking both ground
and air targets.
In response to the growing aerial threat, the Army originally
planned to field 144 M-SHORAD Increment 1 systems to
Figure 2. M-SHORAD Increment 2
four battalions and could field additional battalions in the
future. Each M-SHORAD battalion would consist of 40 M-
SHORAD systems, support vehicles and equipment, and
about 550 soldiers. In April 2021, the 5th Battalion, 4th Air
Defense Artillery Regiment received the first four of its M-
SHORAD systems, becoming fully equipped by late 2022.
In addition to the 144 systems designated for operational
units, the Army planned to procure 18 additional systems
for training, operational spares, and testing, for a total of
162 systems.
M-SHORAD Variants/Increments
While M-SHORAD is primarily intended to defend
maneuver forces against air threats, it also has the capability
Source: https://www.army.mil/article/249511/
to engage a range of ground targets. There are three M-
the_army_rapid_capabilities_and_critical_technologies_offices_direct
SHORAD variants, or “Increments,” planned by the Army.
ed_energy_maneuver_short_range_air_defense_de_m_shorad_rapid
_prototyping_effort_is_on_track_to_deliver.
https://crsreports.congress.gov
link to page 1 U.S. Army’s Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) System
M-SHORAD Increment 2
Procurement
RDT&E
M-SHORAD Increment 2 (Figure 2) is also referred to as
($M)
($M)
Quantity
DE (Directed Energy) M-SHORAD and would incorporate
M-SHORAD
—
$204.880
—
a 50 kilowatt (kW) laser as its primary armament to defend
Increment 3
against a variety of air and artillery threats. Efforts to
Sources: Procurement: Department of Defense Fiscal Year (FY)
develop the 50 kW laser began in 2019, and in 2021,
2025 Budget Estimates, March 2024, Army Justification Book, Volume 1 of
Raytheon was awarded a $123 million developmental
1 Missile Procurement, Army. RDT&E: Department of Defense Fiscal
contract after a competitive shoot-off against Northrop
Year (FY) 2025 Budget Estimates, March 2024, Army Justification Book
Grumman. The Army reports additional testing of the 50
Volume 2b of 2 Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Army RDT&E
kW laser has enjoyed success against a variety of drones,
− Volume II, Budget Activity 4B.
but according to Army program officials, “challenges
remain” in terms of defending against rockets, artillery, and
Notes: $ M = mil ion dol ars; RDT&E = Research Development Test
mortars. Army plans called for M-SHORAD Increment 2 to
& Evaluation; Quantity = procurement quantity.
start a user assessment beginning in the fourth quarter of
FY2023, running through the first quarter of FY2024. The
According to the Army, the FY2025 M-SHORAD budget
Army also plans for an additional final contract competition
request
prior to FY2025.
[s]upports
Product
Development,
Initial
M-SHORAD Increment 3
Operational Test (IOT), Product Improvement
Tasks, and includes support for Program
The Army reportedly plans for M-SHORAD Increment 3 to
Management, Test and Evaluation, and Engineering
incorporate the FIM-92 Stinger replacement missile—the
Technical Support.
Next Generation Short Range Interceptor—into the
Increment 1 system. In addition, these plans call for the
Considerations for Congress
Increment 1 30 mm automatic cannons to receive the XM
Oversight questions Congress could consider include the
1223 Multi-Mode Proximity Airburst munition (MMPA),
following.
which features a multipurpose munition that can be
employed against air, ground, and personnel targets. In
Lessons Learned from the Russo-Ukraine Conflict
March 2023, the Army reportedly selected Lockheed
The ongoing Ukrainian conflict has featured the use of a
Martin and Raytheon Technologies to develop competing
variety of military and commercial UASs employed in both
prototypes of a Next-Generation Short-Range Interceptor.
kinetic and non-kinetic roles. In addition to both fixed and
The Army has indicated it is planning for a technology
rotary wing air threats, loitering munitions have also been
demonstration in FY2024, an operational demonstration in
employed, reportedly with considerable effect. Lessons
FY2026, and a production decision by FY2027.
learned related to the employment of the aforementioned
Army Issues a Request for Information
systems may inform current and future development of all
for M-SHORAD Increment 4
four M-SHORAD Increments. Congress may consider
what efforts have been undertaken by the Army to
On May 8, 2024, the Army issued a request for information
incorporate lessons learned into M-SHORAD design.
(RFI) for M-SHORAD Increment 4, stating that this
capability is to focus on delivering “air defense capability
to support dismounted maneuver.”
2024 Army Force Structure Transformation
M-SHORAD Increment
Initiative and M-SHORAD
4 is to include capabilities that can be transported on a C-
On February 27, 2024, the Army released a white paper,
130 aircraft and that are air-droppable and sling load
Army Force Structure Transformation, outlining plans to
capable. It is also to be capable of integration onto
transform the force. Regarding M-SHORAD, the Army
platforms such as the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV)
stated it would add “four additional M-SHORAD
and/or a robotic vehicle. According to the RFI,
battalions, which counter low altitude aerial threats,
M-SHORAD Increment 4 is to cost less than Increment 1.
including UAS, rotary wing aircraft, and fixed wing
The Army has requested RFI responses from industry by
aircraft.” According to a 2022 report, the Army originally
July 16, 2024, and that industry provide solutions that
planned to field four M-SHORAD battalions to selected
would deliver capabilities in the near term (FY2027 to
units and possibly up to an additional five battalions. In
FY2028), mid term (FY2030 through FY2032), and the far
view of the Army’s white paper, it now appears that the
term (beyond FY2035).
Army intends to field a total of eight M-SHORAD
FY 2025 Budgetary Information
battalions. Given the Army’s new transformation plans,
Congress might seek to clarify the Army’s plans for M-
Table 1. FY2025 M-SHORAD Budget Request
SHORAD, including how many battalions will be created;
whether any battalions will be created in the Army National
Procurement
RDT&E
Guard; the timeline for unit activation; requirements for
($M)
($M)
Quantity
additional M-SHORAD systems; and where M-SHORAD
M-SHORAD
$69.091
—
—
units will be stationed.
Increment 1
M-SHORAD
—
$88.480
—
Andrew Feickert, Specialist in Military Ground Forces
Increment2
IF12397
https://crsreports.congress.gov
U.S. Army’s Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) System
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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF12397 · VERSION 10 · UPDATED