Skip to content
Defdex

Interceptor · Land

FIM-92 Stinger

Man-portable short-range air-defense missile.

by RTX · First fielded 1981

FieldedInterceptorLandInitial operating capabilityFeb 27, 1981
rtx.com/raytheon/what-we-do/integrated-air-and-missile-defense/stinger-missile
A FIM-92 Stinger missile in flight moments after launch during training at San Clemente Island

Photo: U.S. Marine Corps photo by Christopher O'Quin · Public domain (PD-USGov-Military-Marines)

Timeline1

  1. Initial operating capabilityConfirmed

    Stinger achieves IOC in Europe

    SourcesU.S. Army

Solid entries are confirmed, outlined reported, dashed estimated or still to come; dotted italic entries are speculative. Dates show only the precision the sources give.

Cost to the government

  • Unit cost (per round)Reported
    $737K
    Estimate / observation: 2026-06-05 · Then-year $ · 565 units

    Forbes (David Hambling) reading Army budget documents: the latest Stinger batch cost $404M for 565 missiles, i.e. $737K each (stated per-missile figure). Budget-line average likely including non-recurring/production support content.

    Forbes
  • Unit cost (per round)Estimated
    $740K
    Then-year $ · 547 units

    FY 2026 Army request, P-3a Stinger Mods (line 2684C20000): 547 new Stinger Block I missiles for $404.694M; unit cost derived $404.694M / 547 = ~$739.8K (estimated). Book notes FY26 does not bundle with FMS, raising unit cost. No new-missile buy in the FY2027 discretionary request.

    U.S. Army, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management and Comptroller)
  • Contract unit priceEstimated
    $480K
    Estimate / observation: 2022-05-27 · 1,300 units

    US Army four-year $624M contract (modification) to Raytheon for 1,300 Stinger missiles to replenish stocks sent to Ukraine. Derived: 624,000,000 / 1,300 = $480,000 per missile (contract may include non-recurring/obsolescence work).

    GovCon Wire

Unit costs and contract unit prices for this product, and budget figures for the programs that buy it. Each figure states its dollar basis and links its source; contract values are under Programs & awards.

In service

First fielded
1981

Sources5

  1. 1.
    NewsSticker Shock And Awe: The Pentagon's Big New Missile Budget Plans

    Forbes · Jun 5, 2026 · Supports: Cost · amount

    “The budget documents show that the latest batch actually cost $404 million for 565 missiles, or $737k each.”
  2. 2.
    NewsRaytheon Secures $624M Contract to Restock Army Stinger Missiles; Wes Kremer Quoted

    GovCon Wire · May 31, 2022 · Supports: Cost · amount

    “will manufacture 1,300 anti-aircraft weapons for the U.S. Army under a four-year, $624 million contract.”
  3. 3.
    Government recordRedstone Arsenal: STINGER / AVENGER chronology

    U.S. Army · Supports: System, System milestone

    “27 February 81 The basic STINGER weapon system achieved its initial operational capability (IOC)”
  4. 4.
    Government recordArmy FY 2026 Budget Estimates: Missile Procurement, Army Justification Book

    U.S. Army, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management and Comptroller) · Supports: Cost · amount

    “Block I Missiles with Proximity Fuze 547 / 215.741 58 / 25.434 126 / 63.746 547 / 404.694”
  5. 5.
    CompanyStinger Missile

    RTX · Supports: System

    “The Stinger® missile is a lightweight, self-contained air defense system”

Each fact on this page is attached to the sources that support it. Archived copies are linked when we keep one.