Lockheed Martin Clears Key Milestone in Race to Replace Stinger Missile

Image: Lockheed Martin.

Lockheed Martin has successfully completed a critical flight test for its QuadStar missile system, advancing the U.S. Army’s programme to field a next-generation short-range air defence interceptor.

The Seeker Characterization Flight Test (SCFT), part of the Next-Generation Short-Range Interceptor (NGSRI) effort, validated the missile’s core sensor and guidance capabilities. A QuadStar round launched from a Command Launch Assembly (CLA) and flew a tactical trajectory, demonstrating seeker performance beyond the range ceiling of the legacy Stinger system.

The test confirmed the CLA’s operational performance, onboard signal processing, real-time target tracking, and the interceptor’s overall flight characteristics. The team completed the milestone just three months after the programme’s first flight, a pace Lockheed Martin described as a deliberate sprint.

The NGSRI programme seeks to replace the ageing Stinger man-portable air defence missile, which has served U.S. and allied forces for decades. QuadStar incorporates AI-driven signal processing and an open-systems architecture designed to enable rapid software updates and modular hardware upgrades, key factors in keeping pace with evolving aerial threats including drones and rotary-wing platforms.

Randy Crites, vice president of Lockheed Martin Advanced Programs, commented: “The successful SCFT demonstrates we remain on course to deliver a next-generation interceptor that will defend our warfighters and allies well into the future.”

Chris Murphy, the programme’s business development lead, added: “Completing the seeker characterisation in under six months highlights the speed, flexibility and drive the Lockheed Martin team brings to this customer.”

According to Lockheed Martin, the programme remains on schedule with further testing phases ahead.

You can read more on Lockheed Martin’s website

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