US Army Stinger Replacement QuadStar Cuts Initial Manufacturing Time as Missile Production Scales Up.

Lockheed Martin is accelerating industrial preparations for its QuadStar interceptor, a candidate to replace the US Army's Stinger missile, as Washington seeks to strengthen its short-range air defense capabilities against drones and other aerial threats. The American defense manufacturer is introducing automated manufacturing processes at its Camden facility in Arkansas to shorten production times and prepare the Next-Generation Short-Range Interceptor (NGSRI) program for larger-scale manufacturing.

Lockheed Martin’s QuadStar Next-Generation Short-Range Interceptor (NGSRI) displayed at AUSA 2026 in Washington D.C. is designed to replace the U.S. Army’s Stinger missile with greater range and improved air defense capabilities against drones and other aerial threats. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

This development follows the delivery of the first missile articles intended for safety testing and qualification. Rather than waiting for development to conclude before establishing industrial production, Lockheed Martin is refining its assembly methods while the interceptor remains under evaluation. The company states that its new manufacturing approach can reduce the time required for the first missile to move through production to nearly half that of a conventional process. The objective is to establish a production line capable of responding to US Army requirements if QuadStar is selected.

In a statement published on November 2, 2026, Lockheed Martin outlined the manufacturing methods being implemented at Camden. A dedicated automation cell operates alongside the missile's final assembly line, collecting data during production to identify potential bottlenecks. This information feeds a digital twin that allows engineers to adjust assembly sequences, reduce rework and optimize workforce requirements. The manufacturer has not disclosed a confirmed unit cost or annual production rate for the future interceptor.

These preparations also build on Camden's experience manufacturing PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) interceptors for the Patriot air defense system and Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets. Lockheed Martin is developing separate production equipment and supply chains for QuadStar to prevent its manufacturing expansion from disrupting these programs. Several missile components are also expected to be sourced from multiple suppliers to reduce the risk of supply interruptions. This industrial separation is intended to allow production volumes to increase without drawing resources away from other US munitions programs.

Related News: U.S. Army Seeks Longer-Range Drone Defense With Lockheed Martin NGSRI Missile to Replace Stinger

A New Interceptor Designed for Greater Speed and Range Than Stinger

QuadStar is Lockheed Martin's proposed solution for the NGSRI program, which aims to replace the FIM-92 Stinger with a missile capable of engaging aerial threats at greater distances. The interceptor is designed to achieve higher speeds, reducing flight time to the target, while offering improved maneuverability against aircraft performing rapid changes in direction. Its aerodynamic configuration is intended to reduce drag, while a larger warhead than that of the Stinger is expected to improve its effectiveness against drones, helicopters and low-flying aircraft.

The guidance system represents another area of development. QuadStar incorporates an optical seeker using infrared imaging technology, supported by onboard signal-processing capabilities. Three functions have been evaluated in flight: image acquisition, onboard processing and continuous target tracking. The missile's open architecture is also intended to facilitate future upgrades to its software and selected electronic components without requiring a complete redesign. Lockheed Martin has not, however, publicly disclosed precise figures for its maximum range, speed, interception altitude or warhead weight.

The program has already completed several technical milestones. Following an initial flight demonstration in January 2026, Lockheed Martin announced on May 11 the successful completion of a seeker characterization test at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Launched from a command and launch assembly, QuadStar followed a trajectory representative of a tactical engagement while maintaining target tracking. According to the manufacturer, the test demonstrated guidance performance at a distance exceeding the capabilities of the Stinger. Further evaluations remain necessary to confirm the interceptor's performance under representative operational conditions.

The future missile is also intended to operate in two configurations, either from a soldier-portable launcher or from air defense vehicles, including the US Army's SGT STOUT platforms. This flexibility would allow ground formations to employ the interceptor during both dismounted operations and the protection of mechanized units. Greater range and higher speed could enable crews to engage drones and helicopters before they reach defended positions, while reducing the time available for hostile aircraft to conduct evasive maneuvers. The effectiveness of this protection will nevertheless depend on detection systems, target identification and coordination with broader air defense networks.

Industrial Competition With Raytheon Ahead of Initial Orders

Lockheed Martin is not the only manufacturer competing for the NGSRI program. Raytheon, an RTX subsidiary and the current manufacturer of the Stinger, is also developing an interceptor intended to meet US Army requirements. In July 2026, the company announced several guided missile firings at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah, during which its interceptors destroyed simulated aerial threats. Its solution incorporates optical guidance and a solid rocket motor developed by Northrop Grumman. Both competitors are pursuing improvements in range, speed and target acquisition, although their respective test campaigns do not yet provide sufficient information for a comprehensive performance comparison.

Within this competition, the ability to manufacture missiles quickly could carry as much weight as their technical characteristics. In April 2026, Lockheed Martin demonstrated its assembly process to US Army representatives at its Grand Prairie facility in Texas, highlighting the use of additive manufacturing techniques. Investments at Camden extend this approach by preparing for broader industrial production. US defense budget documents identify fiscal year 2028 as a planned milestone for the transition toward production following rapid prototyping activities. This schedule remains dependent on testing results and future Pentagon acquisition decisions.

Cost is another important consideration for a missile intended to be deployed in large quantities. Repeated engagements against relatively inexpensive drones can rapidly deplete interceptor inventories, while replenishing those stocks requires industrial capacity sustained over several years. Automation, simplified assembly operations and supplier diversification are intended to help Lockheed Martin control QuadStar production costs and shorten delivery schedules. The company has not, however, disclosed a price that would allow direct comparisons with the Stinger or Raytheon's competing solution.

Beyond the US market, the NGSRI program has implications for NATO members and allied forces facing similar short-range air defense requirements. The war in Ukraine and the growing use of drones in the Middle East have demonstrated how quickly sustained aerial engagements can consume air defense missile stocks. For Washington, replacing the Stinger therefore involves more than developing an interceptor with improved performance. It also requires establishing production capacity capable of supporting US operations and allied requirements over time. If QuadStar is selected, the manufacturing organization being established at Camden could contribute to that objective as the United States seeks to replenish its inventories while responding to growing international demand for air defense systems.

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Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests include security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.