Lockheed Martin has completed a key flight test of a missile seeker for the US Army’s Next-Generation Short-Range Interceptor (NGSRI) competition.
During the NGSRI Seeker Characterization Flight Test (SCFT), a Command Launch Assembly fired the company’s QuadStar missile, fitted with the seeker, which flew a tactical trajectory.
Lockheed described the seeker as leveraging artificial intelligence-driven signal processing and an open systems architecture designed to support rapid updates and modular upgrades at a lower cost.
Aiming to validate the seeker’s ability to capture imagery, process signals onboard, and maintain target tracking, the test confirmed the seeker’s sensor and guidance capabilities against threats such as uncrewed vehicles and rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft.
The SCFT, marked as a critical risk reduction milestone for the NGSRI program, also confirmed the Command Launch Assembly and the QuadStar interceptor’s performance.
The defense giant moved the missile from concept to its first flight in January 2026 in just 26 months, then completed the SCFT only three months later, highlighting the program’s rapid development.
“Completing the seeker characterization in under six months highlights the speed, flexibility, and drive the Lockheed Martin team brings to this customer,” said Chris Murphy, NGSRI business development lead at Lockheed Martin.
Following the completion of the SCFT, Lockheed’s proposal is now cleared to undergo further testing.
Stinger Missile Replacement
Lockheed Martin and RTX are competing in the US Army’s NGSRI program, after receiving contracts in September 2023, to replace the aging FIM-92 Stinger man-portable air defense missile.
In 2026, Raytheon’s NGSRI completed a ballistic test in February, and Lockheed demonstrated a full-scale assembly of its interceptor to US Army representatives at a Texas facility in April.
The selected system from the winning manufacturer is anticipated to enter low-rate production by 2028.
