M-SHORAD - Procurement

The Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) program is a significant initiative under the Army's Air and Missile Defense Modernization Priority. Its primary objective is to enhance the Army's ability to defend maneuver formations and other tactical echelons against low-altitude air threats, including fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The system integrates multiple ground-to-air missile launchers, sensors, and a gun on a Stryker A1 combat vehicle. This integration aims to provide improved air defense identification and defeat capabilities to counter evolving airborne threats effectively.

The M-SHORAD program follows a multi-phase approach to deliver its capabilities. Initially fielded as M-SHORAD Inc. 1, the system was rapidly deployed based on a FY 2018 Directed Requirement and transitioned to a Middle Tier Acquisition - Rapid Fielding in FY 2024. The Army plans to field this system to four M-SHORAD battalions, ensuring that maneuver brigades can identify, track, and neutralize or destroy low-altitude air threats while maintaining operational pace and survivability. The acquisition lead time for each system is approximately 24 months.

Regarding procurement strategy, the Army has an active Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with General Dynamics Land Systems for production and fielding. The program also includes spares, engineering services, and logistics support. Emergency supplemental funding in FY 2023 facilitated the procurement of additional systems to replace weapons transferred to Ukraine. This funding allowed for the purchase of extra systems and supported enhancements such as converting single Stinger Vehicle Universal Launcher (SVUL) configurations to dual SVUL systems.

Looking ahead, FY 2025 efforts will focus on retrofitting existing systems with dual SVUL configurations and procuring necessary engineering services and logistics support. The total procurement goal includes 144 systems plus additional units for training bases, operational readiness floats, and testing assets. The Army intends to leverage any cost advantages from contract negotiations or foreign military sales to further increase its procurement of M-SHORAD Inc.1 Systems.