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AUSA 2025: Lockheed's NGSRI Emerges as U.S. Army’s Next-Gen Answer to Short-Range Air Defense Needs.
Lockheed Martin introduced the Next Generation Short-Range Interceptor (NGSRI) at AUSA 2025, designed to replace the aging FIM-92 Stinger. The $312 million prototype effort signals the Army’s intent to modernize its layered air defense network against emerging drone and missile threats.
During AUSA 2025 in Washington, D.C., Lockheed Martin unveiled the Next Generation Short-Range Interceptor (NGSRI), marking a decisive step in the modernization of U.S. Army air defense capabilities. Presented alongside the Marine Portable SHORAD “ready round,” the system drew attention for its ability to replace the long-serving FIM-92 Stinger with a common, modular interceptor designed for both dismounted and mounted operations. With the U.S. Army already committing $312 million for prototype development, NGSRI stands as a tangible symbol of the Army’s push toward a networked, 21st-century air defense ecosystem capable of countering increasingly sophisticated aerial threats.
AUSA 2025 showcased NGSRI not merely as an incremental upgrade but as a transformational leap in portable air defense technology. By combining extended range, digital targeting precision, and modular integration, the system redefines what soldiers can carry into the field (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)
NGSRI is a soldier-portable surface-to-air interceptor built around a modular and scalable design that spans both infantry and vehicle-mounted SHORAD roles. In its man-portable configuration, the system combines a Command Launch Assembly (CLA) with an All-Up-Round missile and the Quadstar interceptor, forming what Lockheed Martin refers to as a “ready round.” The CLA integrates an Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) antenna directly into the housing, eliminating the need for external components, while the missile itself removes the traditional Battery Cooling Unit (BCU) dependency found in the Stinger system. This re-engineered launcher introduces a streamlined digital interface and enables soldiers to engage targets without superelevation or manual lead calculation, simplifying engagement steps and improving firing speed in high-stress environments.
Operationally, NGSRI represents the evolutionary successor to the Stinger, with design work initiated following a U.S. Army award in September 2023. The program’s timeline extends through a series of test and integration phases, including technology demonstrations in 2024, platform integration by 2025, and developmental testing in 2026, leading toward Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) in 2028. The system is designed for full interoperability with existing U.S. Army and Marine Corps launchers, including the 4-pack Stinger Vehicle Universal Launcher (SVUL), the Standard Vehicle Mounted Launcher (SVML), and the two-pack Air-to-Air Launcher (ATAL). This direct compatibility minimizes transition costs and training requirements, allowing for rapid fielding once production begins.
From a performance standpoint, Lockheed Martin indicates that the NGSRI delivers a two- to threefold increase in positive target identification range using the CLA, alongside more than double the intercept range compared with legacy systems. The combination of advanced guidance, improved fuze design, and optimized warhead contributes to significantly higher lethality, while the adoption of standard rechargeable U.S. Army batteries extends operational endurance. The new system’s reduced component count and improved fire control architecture translate into enhanced reliability and a lower maintenance burden, addressing long-standing logistical challenges in short-range air defense units.
Strategically, the introduction of NGSRI carries notable geopolitical and doctrinal implications. As global conflicts increasingly feature drones, loitering munitions, and low-altitude threats, ground forces require agile and sustainable air defense tools deployable across dispersed units. NGSRI’s network-ready open architecture, compatible with Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) frameworks, positions it for future integration with beyond-line-of-sight datalinks and lock-on-after-launch capabilities. Its modularity allows for adaptation to evolving threat environments, offering the U.S. and its allies a future-proof solution that strengthens tactical air defense at both the individual and formation level.
Financially, the $312 million U.S. Army contract anchors the program’s development phase, underscoring institutional confidence in Lockheed Martin’s design and its cost-effective path to modernization. The company highlights a “very affordable” price point compared to legacy systems, achieved through streamlined components, standardized power sources, and compatibility with existing launchers. The last major contract award, this prototype deal, confirms Lockheed Martin as the lead industrial partner in bringing the Army’s next-generation short-range interceptor to maturity.
AUSA 2025 showcased NGSRI not merely as an incremental upgrade but as a transformational leap in portable air defense technology. By combining extended range, digital targeting precision, and modular integration, the system redefines what soldiers can carry into the field. Its ability to function interchangeably across infantry, vehicle, and air-launch platforms signals a shift toward unified interceptor architectures that reduce logistical strain while expanding coverage. As the U.S. Army advances toward its 2028 production goals, NGSRI embodies a future in which mobility, interoperability, and adaptability become the defining traits of short-range air defense on the modern battlefield.
Written by Teoman S. Nicanci – Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Teoman S. Nicanci holds degrees in Political Science, Comparative and International Politics, and International Relations and Diplomacy from leading Belgian universities, with research focused on Russian strategic behavior, defense technology, and modern warfare. He is a defense analyst at Army Recognition, specializing in the global defense industry, military armament, and emerging defense technologies.