Artillery Weapons System

The Artillery Weapons System program is a significant initiative within the Navy's procurement efforts, focusing on modernizing and sustaining long-range precision fires capabilities. This aligns with the National Defense Strategy and the Commandant's Planning Guidance, emphasizing expeditionary capabilities. The primary objective is to enhance the Marine Corps' artillery systems through the procurement of launchers, carriers, missiles, and training equipment. These efforts are crucial for maintaining a robust defense posture and ensuring readiness in various operational scenarios.

A central component of this program is the Navy/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), which represents the Marine Corps' first Ground Based Anti-Ship Missile capability. NMESIS plays a pivotal role in surface warfare campaigns by providing ground-based anti-access/area denial capabilities. It integrates Naval Strike Missiles with a teleoperated carrier system called ROGUE-Fires, enhancing anti-ship capabilities through increased persistence and depth. This system supports operations within Marine Littoral Regiments and Marine Expeditionary Units, contributing to sea denial and control missions.

The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is another critical element, offering C-130 transportable rocket/missile launch capabilities. HIMARS provides responsive indirect fires to engage targets at extended ranges under various conditions. It aligns with strategic goals by enabling strikes within adversary engagement zones and complements NMESIS capabilities. Efforts include modernization initiatives to enhance operational effectiveness and integrate new missile technologies like the Precision Strike Missile.

Additionally, Long Range Fires (LRF) initiatives aim to expand long-range precision weapon capacity as directed by strategic defense objectives. The LRF system will employ Tomahawk cruise missiles from land-based platforms, complementing naval missile systems. This capability provides Combatant Commanders with agile and mobile options for engaging targets across diverse environments. The LRF system includes a ROGUE-Fires carrier integrated with a vertical launch system for deploying encanistered Tomahawk missiles, supporting broader maritime operations.