Ramona Adams
The U.S. Army plans to select a supplier of short-range air defense systems for Europe by the fourth quarter of 2018, Defense News reported Monday.
Brig. Gen. Randy McIntire, head of the Army’s cross-functional team for air and missile defense, said that Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville has signed the directed requirement for an interim SHORAD system that will work to address a capability gap in Europe.
McIntire added that the air and missile defense CFT is now working with the Army acquisition community on a procurement plan.
The Army aims to acquire a total of 144 SHORAD systems for four battalions stationed in Europe.
McIntire noted that there are “two very viable candidates” for the SHORAD deal and that the service branch plans to downselect to one vendor by the end of the year.
The Army chose the Stryker combat vehicle as the basis of the interim SHORAD platform and the service looks to install weapons onto the platform prior to deployment.
