LONG RANGE FIRES

The Long Range Fires (LRF) program, under Program Element PE 0605516M, was initiated by the Navy to provide Combatant Commanders with an agile, mobile, land-based system capable of launching Tomahawk cruise missiles. The overarching goal was to complement existing surface and sub-surface missile launch capabilities, thereby expanding the operational reach and flexibility of U.S. forces in contested environments. This program was managed as part of the Advanced Component Development & Prototypes (ACD&P) budget activity, with research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) investments allocated through FY 2025.

The LRF weapon system was designed around a ROGUE-Fires carrier, which shares its design with the Navy and Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) carrier. The system integrated a single cell MK-41 vertical launch system (VLS) launcher, similar to those used by the Navy, for the deployment of encanistered Tomahawk missiles. The Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control System (TTWCS) was also a critical component, providing the necessary fire control and command capabilities for ground-launched operations.

During FY 2025, the program focused on several key objectives: completing the Extended User Evaluation (EUE), finalizing launcher and carrier development to incorporate test fixes, and developing reload/resupply and command and control (C2) systems. Developmental testing was conducted to assess system mobility, electromagnetic environment effects (E3), and carrier engineering change proposals (ECPs). Operational testing included a Guided Flight Test (GFT), and software development was initiated to adapt TTWCS for ground-launched capability. These efforts were intended to validate the system's suitability for expeditionary and littoral environments.

Testing in FY 2025 concluded that the LRF system was not able to be effectively employed in austere, expeditionary, littoral environments. As a result, in coordination with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Marine Corps terminated the LRF program at the end of FY 2025. This decision is reflected in the FY 2026 budget, where no further funding is allocated for the program, and contract close-out activities are scheduled through early FY 2026.

The Launcher Development and Carrier Development subsystems were managed through competitive contracts, primarily with Lockheed Martin and Oshkosh, respectively. The launcher and carrier prototypes, along with production representative models (PRMs), were developed and tested to meet operational requirements. The TTWCS software baseline was collaboratively developed by the Navy, Army, and Marine Corps to ensure interoperability and reduce developmental risk, with hardware procurement also managed by the Navy.

Other critical subsystems included the Reload/Resupply System and C2 System, both of which were designed and tested in conjunction with launcher development. Initial sustainment relied on Contractor Logistics Support (CLS), and training leveraged existing Navy courses and facilities. The program's acquisition strategy emphasized reuse of qualified systems, early risk retirement, and leveraging joint service collaboration to minimize cost and schedule risks.