SHORAD: The Old Is New Again — The Return of Short Range Air Defense

Premiered: Apr 17, 2026

Description

The rise of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles on modern battlefields has reinvigorated the U.S. Army’s emphasis on short range air defense. Looking into the usable past for lessons on how to deal with aerial threats, this documentary educates a new generation of air defenders. With a range of experiences during the Cold War and War on Terror, four SHORAD veterans explain how the U.S. Army understands short range air defense within the context of its maneuver forces. They share pertinent personal stories, describe weapon systems, explain essential leadership skills, and address what challenges confront new soldiers. The old is new again as the U.S. Army looks toward SHORAD to once again defend maneuver elements from aerial threats.