US M-SHORAD air defence systems cannot use Hellfire due to missile wear and tear

The US Army has banned the use of Hellfire missiles in the M-SHORAD (Maneuver Short Range Air Defence) air defence system. This was announced by the military at the Eurosatory 2024 exhibition in Paris.

Here's What We Know

The M-SHORAD is equipped with a Longbow Hellfire launcher. However, it will be replaced. The reason is that the missile was not designed to be carried and placed on ground vehicles.

The M-SHORAD air defence system uses the US Stryker armoured personnel carrier as a chassis. After production began, the U.S. military discovered that there were potential safety issues when the Hellfire was placed on the side of a vehicle due to wear and tear on the missile.

Consequently, the M-SHORAD will receive a new launcher and eight Stinger missiles. In the future, the Stinger systems will be replaced by a new development being worked on by RTX and Lockheed Martin.

Source: Breaking Defence