The US Army wants to order 11,000 next-generation missiles to replace its aging Stingers

• Army plans to buy 11,000 next-generation missiles to replace aging Stingers
• Lockheed Martin and RTX, formerly Raytheon, are competing to build the new shoulder-fired weapon
• The missile is designed to counter aircraft, helicopters, and larger drones

Those stockpiles aren’t easily rebuilt, since the Stinger is an older weapon with a relatively cold industrial base. Rather than reignite production, the Army is instead chasing a replacement.

According to the Army’s request document, the Stinger replacements should be compatible with existing launch platforms.