U.S. Army Upgrades Stinger Missile with Supersonic Jet Propulsion for Greater Speed and Range.

On May 21, 2025, the United States Army, through its Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center based in Alabama, showcased a breakthrough in short-range air defense by upgrading the legacy FIM-92 Stinger missile with ramjet propulsion under the “Red Wasp” program. As reported by the U.S. Army, this development marks a pivotal moment for portable air defense systems, promising significantly extended reach for a weapon long known for its versatility on the battlefield. In an era of rapidly evolving aerial threats, this transformation reflects both technological ambition and the urgency of gaining overmatch against hostile ISR drones and low-flying platforms.
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Stinger missile became famous during the Soviet-Afghan War when it significantly altered the air dominance landscape. More recently, it has been deployed in various conflicts, including widespread use in Ukraine (Picture Source: U.S. Army)

The Stinger missile, originally introduced in 1981 and widely recognized as a reliable man-portable air defense system (MANPADS), is undergoing a significant transformation under the U.S. Army’s Red Wasp program. Traditionally powered by a solid fuel rocket motor and guided via infrared homing, the Stinger has been effective against helicopters and low-flying aircraft. The Red Wasp initiative introduces a dual propulsion concept featuring an integral solid-fueled ramjet. This allows the missile to maintain thrust well beyond the burnout phase of its booster, leveraging atmospheric oxygen to ignite additional onboard fuel, thus dramatically extending its range.

Compared to the legacy version, the ramjet-equipped Stinger offers longer engagement distances, sustained propulsion during flight, and improved energy management, making it more effective against faster or more distant aerial threats. According to the Army’s statements, the successful flight test in 2024 confirmed that this approach could enhance delivered performance and engage targets at longer distances than previously achievable.

Historically, the Stinger missile became famous during the Soviet-Afghan War when it significantly altered the air dominance landscape. More recently, it has been deployed in various conflicts, including widespread use in Ukraine. The Red Wasp program began conceptual work in 2022, and despite initial industry skepticism about integrating ramjet propulsion into the compact Stinger frame, government engineers successfully demonstrated the concept within just 18 months. The system is currently undergoing further testing at Dugway Proving Ground, with new ramjet fuel variants and thermal insulators scheduled for evaluation in July 2025. Managed entirely within government facilities, this high-risk, high-reward project remains a testament to in-house innovation capacity, aiming for later industrial collaboration to scale the design.

Compared to legacy MANPADS like the Russian 9K38 Igla or the newer Verba, the Red Wasp-enhanced Stinger stands out for its ramjet-powered extended range and potential speed advantage. Unlike these systems, which maintain traditional propulsion cycles, the Red Wasp leverages the ramjet's inherent efficiency and simplicity resulting in higher terminal velocity and better engagement windows. Historically, similar range-extension efforts can be compared to programs like the AIM-120D AMRAAM’s evolution, although in a different operational context. The ramjet's recent prominence, also seen in programs like the European Meteor missile, further signals a growing trend in advanced missile propulsion.

Strategically, this advancement aligns with urgent U.S. priorities to counter increasing drone and ISR threats from near-peer adversaries. By enabling longer-range interception of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) with ISR capabilities, Red Wasp not only enhances battlefield survivability but also supports layered defense architectures, especially within contested environments like Eastern Europe or the Indo-Pacific. Geopolitically, its deployment could bolster allied deterrence postures and reinforce NATO’s forward defense strategy.

Once operationalized, the upgraded Stinger could potentially replace older variants in U.S. and allied inventories, eliminating the need for heavier launchers and enabling flexible SHORAD configurations at the squad level. With its extended range and potential for modular upgrades, it could also reduce the pressure on larger systems like NASAMS or Avenger, freeing them for higher-tier threats.

During the war in Ukraine, FIM-92 Stingers have been credited with downing multiple Russian helicopters, drones, and even fixed-wing aircraft. The incorporation of ramjet propulsion would further raise the risk profile for such platforms, especially ISR drones operating behind the front lines. With enhanced reach, these new Stingers could deny enemy air reconnaissance platforms the proximity needed to guide artillery or coordinate strikes, shifting the tactical balance in favor of defending troops.

The Red Wasp-powered Stinger missile signals a new era for portable air defense systems, combining legacy reliability with cutting-edge propulsion to deliver extended reach, enhanced lethality, and improved survivability on tomorrow’s battlefield. With its solid-fueled ramjet engine at the core of the innovation, this upgraded missile stands as a strategic response to modern threats posed by ISR-equipped drones and low-altitude aerial intrusions. As additional testing unfolds in 2025, the U.S. Army’s initiative may well set the stage for a broader transformation in short-range air defense, redefining what shoulder-fired missiles can achieve in future conflicts.