Stinger Mods

The Stinger Mods program, as outlined in the Department of Defense (DoD) FY 2026 Army budget under line item 2684C20000, is focused on the modification and modernization of the Stinger Block I missile system. The Stinger missile is a short-range, fire-and-forget, shoulder-fired and platform-mounted guided missile system that provides low-altitude air defense against fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and cruise missiles. The overarching goal of this program is to ensure the continued operational effectiveness and readiness of the Army's air defense capabilities, supporting both active and reserve components for homeland defense, domestic emergency response, and military support to civil authorities.

A central objective of the Stinger Mods line item is the procurement and service life extension of the FIM-92E Stinger Block I missile. Funding will support the procurement of Stinger Block I missiles and Production Verification Flight Test missiles, as well as additional missiles and test missiles through mandatory funds. The program also covers acceptance testing, test equipment, engineering services, and program management support to ensure the quality and reliability of the delivered systems.

The Stinger Block I Upgrades (Service Life Extension Program, SLEP) is a key component of this line item. The SLEP aims to extend the operational life of existing Stinger missiles, addressing obsolescence and ensuring continued performance against evolving aerial threats. In prior years, the program completed the extension of thousands of missiles, with depot-level installation performed at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant in Oklahoma. The SLEP involves hardware kit upgrades and is implemented organically within Army depots, ensuring cost-effective modernization of the current missile inventory.

Another major element is the procurement of new Stinger Block I missiles, manufactured by Raytheon in Tucson, Arizona. These new missiles incorporate enhancements such as a proximity fuze, which improves effectiveness against small UAS and cruise missile threats. The procurement plan for FY 2026 includes both production missiles and production verification flight test missiles, which are essential for validating manufacturing quality and system performance. The program also supports the acquisition of related components, such as gripstocks and battery cooling units, to maintain system readiness.

The Stinger Mods program also includes non-recurring engineering efforts, such as redesigns of the Dual Detector Assembly (DDA), roll frequency sensor, and application-specific integrated circuits. These redesigns address component obsolescence and production capacity constraints, ensuring the missile system remains viable for future operational needs. Funding is allocated for production test equipment and government management, supporting the overall sustainment and oversight of the program.

A significant justification for the requested funding is the need to replenish and modernize the Army's Stinger inventory, which has been impacted by both operational use and foreign military sales (FMS). The FY 2026 budget reflects a higher unit cost due to the absence of FMS bundling, which previously helped lower procurement costs through economies of scale. The program is aligned with statutory requirements under Section 1815 of the FY08 National Defense Authorization Act, emphasizing its importance for homeland defense and support to civil authorities.