On September 24, 2025, the U.S. Army awarded Raytheon a $578.6 million firm-fixed-price contract for new FIM-92 Stinger missiles, sustainment equipment, and support. The deal extends production until 2031, reinforcing U.S. and allied short-range air defense against drones, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft.
The Stinger, first fielded in the 1980s, is a man-portable, infrared-guided surface-to-air missile that also integrates on vehicles and rotary-wing platforms. Recent upgrades have enhanced performance against small unmanned aerial systems while maintaining the fire-and-forget capability critical for dispersed ground units.
Combat-proven across decades and most recently in Ukraine, the system continues to attract international demand. Germany has approved new procurement, Taiwan has indicated interest in 2,000 units, and Morocco and Egypt are exploring potential buys. Meanwhile, Raytheon’s cooperation with Germany’s Diehl Defence to co-produce components in Europe highlights NATO burden-sharing and supply chain resilience.
Strategically, the contract strengthens layered air defense by filling the tactical gap between radar-guided systems and larger interceptors. It ensures that U.S. and allied maneuver forces maintain immediate, mobile protection while longer-term programs like IFPC and next-generation interceptors mature.
Executed by the Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, under contract W31P4Q-25-F-0081, the award provides predictable funding through 2031. Together with ongoing service life extension programs, the move signals Washington’s intent to secure near-term readiness, support partners under threat, and sustain transatlantic industrial capacity for short-range air defense.
