Army Renames Air Defense M-SHORAD Stryker After Vietnam Hero

By Olawale Abaire, Warrior Editorial Fellow

The United States Army celebrated its 249th birthday with a significant milestone, renaming its Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) system to “Sergeant Stout.” This renaming honors Sgt. Mitchell William Stout, a Medal of Honor recipient who displayed extraordinary heroism during the Vietnam War. The rebranded system signifies a blend of tradition and technological advancement in the Army’s air defense capabilities.

Sgt. Mitchell William Stout’s bravery is legendary within the Army ranks. On March 12, 1970, during a mortar attack in Vietnam, Stout shielded his comrades from a grenade blast, sacrificing his life. His valor epitomizes the spirit of selflessness and dedication that the Army strives to embody. The decision to name the M-SHORAD system after him is a tribute and a symbolic gesture linking the past to the present advancements in military technology.

Ret.  Gen John Murray – Former Commander, Army Future Command

The M-SHORAD system, now Sergeant Stout, is a highly modified Stryker A1 vehicle outfitted with advanced capabilities designed to counter aerial threats. General Dynamics Land Systems, the program lead, integrates Leonardo DRS’s mission equipment package, featuring Moog’s Reconfigurable Integrated-weapons Platform (RIwP) turret and Rada USA’s Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radar.

The initial configuration of the RIwP includes:

– A modified M299 launcher capable of deploying two Longbow Hellfire missiles.