Raytheon completes test of missile that could replace Army’s Stinger
Raytheon
Raytheon’s Tucson-based missile-manufacturing operation says it has completed another successful test of the missile that could replace the U.S. Army’s much-used Stinger surface-to-air weapon.
The missile under development is called the Next Generation Short Range Interceptor (NGSRI). Able to be fired from a portable shoulder-mounted launcher or from a vehicle, it flies faster and performs better against aerial threats than existing options, Raytheon said.
The latest test showed the NGSRI’s ability to track drone targets when fired from launchers carried by military members, Raytheon said.
Raytheon also said it funded the test with the intention of demonstrating technical maturity and collecting critical data ahead of the program’s flight test demonstration.
“Raytheon’s investment in NGSRI demonstrates the company’s strong partnership with the U.S. Army and our commitment to equipping service members with this advanced capability,” said Tom Laliberty, president of Land and Air Defense Systems at Raytheon, in a statement. “We continue to prioritize rapid learning and testing to ensure the Army receives a cost-effective and technologically superior interceptor.”
The NGSRI system operates with Northrop Grumman’s grain solid rocket motors, which use a solid propellant that burn longer and provide more energy than conventional motors, giving the NGSRI a longer range.
Raytheon and Northrop Grumman together conducted tests of those motors last year, at the time saying they’ve gone from proof of concept to first flight in less than six months — highlighting the emphasis on rapid development for the weapon.
Lockheed Martin is also working on a proposed NGSRI and completed a flight test of its version within 26 months from proof of concept, according to a report from the Defense Post.
Raytheon is one of Arizona’s largest defense contractors, notching more than $55 billion in contract value during the last fiscal year. That was bolstered by a number of multibillion-dollar contracts awarded in 2025.