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Updated June 25, 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 (SHORAD). The Army defines SHORAD as
capabilities that provide air defense against low-altitude air
threats. In the early 2000s, the Army divested SHORAD
units from Army force structure to free up personnel to
create other types of units deemed more mission-critical at
the time. After 2005, SHORAD force structure was reduced
to two battalions of Active Component Avenger systems
and Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM)
batteries and seven Army National Guard Avenger
Source: https://www.leonardodrs.com/what-we-do/products-and-
battalions.
services/m-shorad/.
Since 2005, there has been a dramatic increase in air and
M-SHORAD Increment 1
missile platforms that could threaten U.S. ground forces.
M-SHORAD Increment 1 (Figure 1) was developed under
The use of unmanned aerial systems (UASs) has increased
the Other Transaction Authority contracting process. M-
exponentially and UASs have been used successfully in a
SHORAD uses the M-1126 Stryker combat vehicle as its
variety of conflicts, including the current Ukrainian
chassis. The weapons and radar packages are configured by
conflict. Given the increase in threat and limited air defense
Leonardo DRS and then installed on the Stryker by General
assets available to Army divisions, the Army decided to
Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS), the vehicle’s original
improve the air defense posture of its maneuver forces.
manufacturer. Leonardo DRS reports the multipurpose
M-SHORAD Requirement
unmanned turret includes
In response to the growing aerial threat, the Army originally
• two AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire missiles capable of
planned to field 144 M-SHORAD Increment 1 systems to
hitting ground targets;
four battalions and could field additional battalions in the
•
future. Each M-SHORAD battalion would consist of 40 M-
four FIM-92 Stinger missiles for aerial targets in a
SHORAD systems, support vehicles and equipment, and
launcher (configured by Raytheon);
about 550 soldiers. In April 2021, the 5th Battalion, 4th Air
• an XM914 30 mm automatic cannon;
Defense Artillery Regiment received the first four of its M-
•
SHORAD systems, becoming fully equipped in late 2022.
an M-240 7.62 mm machine gun; and
In addition to the 144 systems designated for operational
• a multi-mission radar capable of tracking both ground
units, the Army planned to procure 18 additional systems
and air targets.
for training, operational spares, and testing, for a total of
162 systems. Reportedly, as of June 2024, the Army
Prohibition on Hellfire Missile Use on M-SHORAD
envisions building about 312 M-SHORAD systems but that
Increment 1
number could increase to as many as 361 “based on future
Reportedly, the Army is planning to replace the Longbow
Army decisions,” but, at present, the Army only has
Hellfire missile launcher on M-SHORAD Increment 1
approval for 162 systems.
vehicles because the Hellfire mounted on the side of the
M-SHORAD Variants/Increments
vehicle “created wear and tear on the missile, leading to
potential safety concerns.” The Army reportedly plans to
Initially, there were three M-SHORAD variants, or
retrofit M-SHORAD vehicles “by swapping out the Hellfire
“Increments,” planned by the Army.
launcher and for a second Stinger pod,” which would give
the modified vehicles eight total FIM-92 Stinger rounds.
M-SHORAD Increment 2
M-SHORAD Increment 2 is also referred to as DE
(Directed Energy) M-SHORAD and incorporates a 50
kilowatt (kW) laser as its primary armament to defend
against a variety of air and artillery threats. Efforts to
develop the 50 kW laser began in 2019 and, in 2021,
Raytheon was awarded a $123 million developmental
contract after a competitive shoot-off against Northrop
https://crsreports.congress.gov
U.S. Army’s Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) System
Grumman. The Army reports additional testing of the 50
Defense Artillery at Ft. Sill, OK - Army officials
kW laser has enjoyed success against a variety of drones,
reportedly noted that the Army is currently in the process of
but according to Army program officials, “challenges
fielding to the 6th Battalion, 56th Air Defense Artillery at
remain” in terms of defending against rockets, artillery, and
Ft. Cavazos, TX and plans to activate a fourth M-SHORAD
mortars. Army plans called for M-SHORAD Increment 2 to
battalion at Ft. Liberty, NC in the third quarter of FY2025.
start a user assessment beginning in the fourth quarter of
FY2023, running through the first quarter of FY2024. The
FY2025 Budgetary Information
Army also plans for an additional final contract competition
Table 1. FY2025 M-SHORAD Budget Request
prior to FY2025.
Procurement
RDT&E
Soldier Observations on DE M-SHORAD Deployed
($M)
($M)
Quantity
to the Middle East for Testing
M-SHORAD
$69.091
—
—
Reportedly, according to Army officials, in February 2024
Increment 1
the Army deployed four Stryker-mounted 50 kW laser M-
M-SHORAD
—
$88.480
—
SHORAD prototypes to the Middle East for soldiers to test
Increment2
the system’s performance against aerial threats. Initial
M-SHORAD
—
$204.880
—
soldier feedback was characterized as “not overwhelmingly
Increment 3
positive,” with officials suggesting “results from the lab
Sources: Procurement: Department of Defense Fiscal Year (FY)
environment and test ranges are very different from the
2025 Budget Estimates, March 2024, Army Justification Book, Volume 1 of
tactical environment.”
1 Missile Procurement, Army. RDT&E: Department of Defense Fiscal
M-SHORAD Increment 3
Year (FY) 2025 Budget Estimates, March 2024, Army Justification Book
The Army reportedly plans for M-SHORAD Increment 3 to
Volume 2b of 2 Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Army RDT&E
incorporate the FIM-92 Stinger replacement missile—the
− Volume II, Budget Activity 4B.
Next Generation Short Range Interceptor—into the
Notes: $ M = mil ion dol ars; RDT&E = Research Development Test
Increment 1 system. In addition, these plans call for the
& Evaluation; Quantity = procurement quantity.
Increment 1 30 mm automatic cannons to receive the XM
1223 Multi-Mode Proximity Airburst munition (MMPA),
Considerations for Congress
which features a multipurpose munition that can be
Oversight questions Congress could consider include the
employed against air, ground, and personnel targets. In
following.
March 2023, the Army reportedly selected Lockheed
Lessons Learned from the Russo-Ukraine Conflict
Martin and Raytheon Technologies to develop competing
The ongoing Ukrainian conflict has featured the use of a
prototypes of a Next-Generation Short-Range Interceptor.
variety of military and commercial UASs employed in both
The Army has indicated it is planning for a technology
kinetic and non-kinetic roles. In addition to both fixed and
demonstration in FY2024, an operational demonstration in
rotary wing air threats, loitering munitions have also been
FY2026, and a production decision by FY2027.
employed, reportedly with considerable effect. Lessons
Army Issues a Request for Information for M-
learned related to the employment of the aforementioned
SHORAD Increment 4
systems may inform current and future development of all
On May 8, 2024, the Army issued a request for information
four M-SHORAD Increments. Congress may consider
(RFI) for M-SHORAD Increment 4, stating that this
what efforts have been undertaken by the Army to
capability is to focus on delivering “air defense capability
incorporate lessons learned into M-SHORAD design.
to support dismounted maneuver.” M-SHORAD Increment
2024 Army Force Structure Transformation
4 is to include capabilities that can be transported on a C-
Initiative and M-SHORAD
130 aircraft and that are air-droppable and sling load
On February 27, 2024, the Army released a white paper,
capable. It is also to be capable of integration onto
Army Force Structure Transformation, outlining plans to
platforms such as the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV)
transform the force. Regarding M-SHORAD, the Army
and/or a robotic vehicle. The Army has requested RFI
stated it would add four additional M-SHORAD battalions.
responses from industry by July 16, 2024 and that industry
Reportedly, Army officials noted on June 14, 2024 that the
provide solutions that would deliver capabilities in the near
four additional battalions would be activated in the Army
term (FY2027 to FY2028), mid term (FY2030 through
National Guard “assuming they are funded across the
FY2032), and the far term (beyond FY2035).
Program Objective Memorandum (POM) between FY2026
Army Names M-SHORAD Vehicle and
and FY2030.” Given the Army’s new transformation plans,
Program Update
Congress might seek to clarify the Army’s plans for the
four new Army National Guard M-SHORAD battalions
On June 14, 2024 the Army reportedly renamed the M-
including the timeline for unit activations and where the
SHORAD the “SGT STOUT” in honor of Sergeant
units will be stationed.
Mitchell William Stout, an Air Defense Artillery soldier
who won the Congressional Medal of Honor during the
Andrew Feickert, Specialist in Military Ground Forces
Vietnam War. In addition to the Army’s first two M-
SHORAD battalions - the 5th Battalion, 4th Defense
IF12397
Artillery in Germany and the 4th Battalion, 60th Air
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U.S. Army’s Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) System
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