US Troops Test-Fire SGT STOUT Air Defense System With NATO in Norway
US troops have tested a new short-range air defense system, the SGT STOUT, alongside NATO forces during live-fire drills in Andøya, northern Norway.
The US Army used the system, equipped with Stinger missiles, a 30mm cannon, and onboard radar, to engage low-altitude aerial targets.
The event marks the SGT STOUT’s first use of Stinger missiles in a NATO exercise, demonstrating its role in allied air and missile defense operations.
Designed to intercept unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters, and cruise missiles, the SGT STOUT complements ship-based and high-altitude interceptors operated by NATO forces.
“What began a decade ago as a naval missile defense exercise has evolved to include allied air forces and, more recently, ground-based air defense units,” the US Army stated.
The use of the SGT STOUT system “reflects lessons learned from modern conflicts, notably the war in Ukraine, where drones, cruise missiles, and other low-flying threats have reemphasized the need for mobile short-range air defenses,” it added.
SGT STOUT System
The SGT STOUT is a mobile system mounted on the Stryker A1 armored vehicle.
It combines onboard sensors and targeting systems within the US Army’s larger air and missile defense network, allowing it to detect and engage threats independently or as part of a broader defense strategy.
Equipped with Hellfire and Stinger missiles and a 30mm cannon, it typically operates with a crew of three or four soldiers.
The system has been used in multiple live-fire exercises, including DEFENDER 24 in Poland.
Enhancing Coordination
The recent NATO exercise, Formidable Shield 2025, involved 16 warships, 27 aircraft, and eight ground units from 11 allies and partner countries.
The drills focused on integrated air and missile defense across domains, combining naval, air, and ground assets in joint, multinational live-fire scenarios.
Ships, aircraft, and ground units operated with a shared view of the battlespace through NATO data links to enhance coordination among forces and implement a layered defense strategy.
