Latest news with #ROGUE-Fires
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
See the ship-killing missile that US Marines deployed to a hot spot near Taiwan
US Marines stationed anti-ship missile launchers near Taiwan to deter Chinese aggression. It was the first time the NMESIS, a ground-based missile system, was deployed to the Philippines. China said it opposed US allies using Taiwan as an "excuse" to boost its military presence. The US Marines deployed new ship-killing missile launchers at a strategic chokepoint south of Taiwan to deter growing Chinese aggression in the Pacific. The Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) made its inaugural debut in the Philippines during Exercise Balikatan, which means "shoulder-to-shoulder" in Tagalog. More than 14,000 troops from the Philippines and the US participated in the exercise, which began on April 21 and runs until May 9, as well as contingents from Australia and, for the first time, and Japan, making it the largest iteration of the exercise to date. Developed to "simulate the defense of Philippine sovereignty," the NMESIS will be used in simulated fire drills taking place on the Batanes Islands, which are seen as key strategic locations near Taiwan and mainland China. The NMESIS fires a guided missile with the range to strike ships in the Bashi channel between the Batanes islands and Taiwan. Ground-based ship-killer The NMESIS is a missile system mounted on an uncrewed 4-wheel truck developed as part of the Force Design initiative, a modernization plan to restructure the US Marine Corps for naval expeditionary warfare, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. A standard NMESIS unit will include 18 launchers, and the Marines plan to field 14 such batteries by 2030 — three of which are planned to be stationed in the Pacific region. Naval Strike Missile The NMESIS is designed to fire the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), a long-range precision strike weapon designed to hit heavily defended surface ships and land targets. Manufactured by Norwegian defense supplier Kongsberg Defence Systems in partnership with RTX, NSMs are highly survivable and maneuverable with a range of over 120 miles. The subsonic, sea-skimming missiles, which cost nearly $2 million each, can accurately home in on a target without electronic interference, guided by an onboard infrared system, GPS, and terrain-based navigation. In November, Kongsberg was awarded a $900 million military contract to supply NSMs to the Navy and Marines. Uncrewed vehicle-launcher Carrying two ready-to-fire NSMs in its canisters, the NMESIS launcher is mounted on an uncrewed Joint Light Tactical Vehicle chassis known as ROGUE-Fires (Remotely Operated Ground Unit for Expeditionary Fires), which allow it to be controlled remotely or autonomously over difficult terrain. "Marines can control the ROGUE-Fires with a game-like remote controller or command multiple launchers to autonomously follow behind a leader vehicle," according to a Marine Corps statement. 'Full battle test' The three-week-long Balikatan exercises will focus on anti-ship, anti-air, and coastal defense drills simulating real-world combat, including missile defense, invasion deterrence, and live-fire and strike tests on a decommissioned vessel. "The full battle test is intended to take into consideration all of the regional security challenges that we face today, beginning in the South China Sea," Lieutenant General James Glynn, the US director for the exercise, said during a media briefing. Maj. Gen. Francisco Lorenzo, the Philippine director for Balikatan, said the drills were not intended to be a show of force against China but acknowledged that they could act as a deterrent against conflict in Taiwan. "The Balikatan exercise may probably help deter the conflict in Taiwan," Lorenzo said in a statement. "But for our concern, it is only for deterrence of any possible coercion or invasion to our country." Strategic chokepoints near Taiwan During Exercise Balikatan, the NMESIS launchers will be airlifted from Northern Luzon to the Batanes Islands, where US and Philippine Marines will establish an expeditionary fires base. Located about 120 miles from Taiwan's southern coast, the Batanes Islands are positioned near the Luzon Strait and the Bashi Channel, which connects the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, setting up a significant — albeit high-risk — anti-access strategy against China. "The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access point to enter or exit the Pacific Ocean from the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, and the deployment of NMESIS allows the US to assert control over that access," Ben Lewis, a cofounder of PLATracker, an organization that tracks Chinese military activity, told Naval News. With the anti-ship missile's baseline range of over 100 nautical miles, any vessel transiting in waters from the southern tip of Taiwan to northern Luzon could be targeted by the NMESIS deployment to the Batanes chain. Typhon missile launcher The military also temporarily deployed the mid-range Typhon missile system to the Laoag Airfield in northern Luzon as part of Exercise Balikatan in April 2024. Instead of being removed, the Typhon systems were relocated last December and will remain stationed in the Philippines indefinitely. Operated by the US Army, the Typhon Weapon System is capable of firing Tomahawk cruise missiles, which have a range of 1,000 miles, and SM-6 interceptor missiles, which can hit targets nearly 300 miles away. Threat to China's area denial strategy In mid-April, China condemned the joint US-Philippine military drills, saying it "firmly opposes any country" using Taiwan as an "excuse" to strengthen its military posture in the region and "provoke tension and confrontation." "The parties concerned are advised not to provoke on the Taiwan issue, and those who play with fire will burn themselves," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said during an April 21 briefing. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
See the ship-killing missile that US Marines deployed to a hot spot near Taiwan
US Marines stationed anti-ship missile launchers near Taiwan to deter Chinese aggression. It was the first time the NMESIS, a ground-based missile system, was deployed to the Philippines. China said it opposed US allies using Taiwan as an "excuse" to boost its military presence. The US Marines deployed new ship-killing missile launchers at a strategic chokepoint south of Taiwan to deter growing Chinese aggression in the Pacific. The Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) made its inaugural debut in the Philippines during Exercise Balikatan, which means "shoulder-to-shoulder" in Tagalog. More than 14,000 troops from the Philippines and the US participated in the exercise, which began on April 21 and runs until May 9, as well as contingents from Australia and, for the first time, and Japan, making it the largest iteration of the exercise to date. Developed to "simulate the defense of Philippine sovereignty," the NMESIS will be used in simulated fire drills taking place on the Batanes Islands, which are seen as key strategic locations near Taiwan and mainland China. The NMESIS fires a guided missile with the range to strike ships in the Bashi channel between the Batanes islands and Taiwan. Ground-based ship-killer The NMESIS is a missile system mounted on an uncrewed 4-wheel truck developed as part of the Force Design initiative, a modernization plan to restructure the US Marine Corps for naval expeditionary warfare, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. A standard NMESIS unit will include 18 launchers, and the Marines plan to field 14 such batteries by 2030 — three of which are planned to be stationed in the Pacific region. Naval Strike Missile The NMESIS is designed to fire the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), a long-range precision strike weapon designed to hit heavily defended surface ships and land targets. Manufactured by Norwegian defense supplier Kongsberg Defence Systems in partnership with RTX, NSMs are highly survivable and maneuverable with a range of over 120 miles. The subsonic, sea-skimming missiles, which cost nearly $2 million each, can accurately home in on a target without electronic interference, guided by an onboard infrared system, GPS, and terrain-based navigation. In November, Kongsberg was awarded a $900 million military contract to supply NSMs to the Navy and Marines. Uncrewed vehicle-launcher Carrying two ready-to-fire NSMs in its canisters, the NMESIS launcher is mounted on an uncrewed Joint Light Tactical Vehicle chassis known as ROGUE-Fires (Remotely Operated Ground Unit for Expeditionary Fires), which allow it to be controlled remotely or autonomously over difficult terrain. "Marines can control the ROGUE-Fires with a game-like remote controller or command multiple launchers to autonomously follow behind a leader vehicle," according to a Marine Corps statement. 'Full battle test' The three-week-long Balikatan exercises will focus on anti-ship, anti-air, and coastal defense drills simulating real-world combat, including missile defense, invasion deterrence, and live-fire and strike tests on a decommissioned vessel. "The full battle test is intended to take into consideration all of the regional security challenges that we face today, beginning in the South China Sea," Lieutenant General James Glynn, the US director for the exercise, said during a media briefing. Maj. Gen. Francisco Lorenzo, the Philippine director for Balikatan, said the drills were not intended to be a show of force against China but acknowledged that they could act as a deterrent against conflict in Taiwan. "The Balikatan exercise may probably help deter the conflict in Taiwan," Lorenzo said in a statement. "But for our concern, it is only for deterrence of any possible coercion or invasion to our country." Strategic chokepoints near Taiwan During Exercise Balikatan, the NMESIS launchers will be airlifted from Northern Luzon to the Batanes Islands, where US and Philippine Marines will establish an expeditionary fires base. Located about 120 miles from Taiwan's southern coast, the Batanes Islands are positioned near the Luzon Strait and the Bashi Channel, which connects the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, setting up a significant — albeit high-risk — anti-access strategy against China. "The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access point to enter or exit the Pacific Ocean from the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, and the deployment of NMESIS allows the US to assert control over that access," Ben Lewis, a cofounder of PLATracker, an organization that tracks Chinese military activity, told Naval News. With the anti-ship missile's baseline range of over 100 nautical miles, any vessel transiting in waters from the southern tip of Taiwan to northern Luzon could be targeted by the NMESIS deployment to the Batanes chain. Typhon missile launcher The military also temporarily deployed the mid-range Typhon missile system to the Laoag Airfield in northern Luzon as part of Exercise Balikatan in April 2024. Instead of being removed, the Typhon systems were relocated last December and will remain stationed in the Philippines indefinitely. Operated by the US Army, the Typhon Weapon System is capable of firing Tomahawk cruise missiles, which have a range of 1,000 miles, and SM-6 interceptor missiles, which can hit targets nearly 300 miles away. Threat to China's area denial strategy In mid-April, China condemned the joint US-Philippine military drills, saying it "firmly opposes any country" using Taiwan as an "excuse" to strengthen its military posture in the region and "provoke tension and confrontation." "The parties concerned are advised not to provoke on the Taiwan issue, and those who play with fire will burn themselves," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said during an April 21 briefing.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Oshkosh Defense unveils new variant of Marine remote fires vehicle
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Marine Corps' answer to mobile, long-range fires now features a multirocket launch system and autonomous tech. Oshkosh Defense unveiled the newest iteration of the Remotely Operated Ground Unit for Expeditionary Fires, or ROGUE-Fires, at the Association of the U.S. Army's Global Force Symposium in Huntsville, Alabama, this week. The payload-agnostic platform, carried by the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, or JLTV, allows for long-range fires, autonomous resupply and logistics operations, according to a company release. Ship-sinking missile for Marines headed to test fire 'As the battlefield continues to evolve, we are leveraging the mature and proven Oshkosh families of vehicles to design payload-agnostic autonomous platforms that deliver unmatched flexibility, enabling forces to outpace emerging threats and maintain operational dominance,' said Pat Williams, chief programs officer at Oshkosh Defense. The Marines first awarded a $40 million contract to Oshkosh to build the unmanned missile launcher after a prototyping phase ended in September 2023. Developers removed the JLTV cab and attached a missile launcher to build a mobile firing platform that can be operated autonomously. Until this newest variant, the focus of the ROGUE-Fires platform had been to house the Naval Strike Missile, the Marines' key to knocking out enemy ships to protect and gain access for U.S. Navy ships in littoral regions. The multiple launch rocket system family of munitions, or MFOM, gives the platform a new capability on top of existing features such as long-range precision fires, autonomous resupply and logistics operations. The company has also developed a power train that can be adapted for hybrid-electric power, which allows for silent modes of operation and fuel savings as well as electrical charging for devices and other platforms. Williams told Military Times that the company unveiled this new variant at an Army show in part because the system also fits Army needs, which include mature systems that have autonomous features and multipayload options. The original concept evolved out of a previous program known as 'leader follower,' which uses autonomy to drive ground vehicles. The Army used the same software in the ROGUE platform for its own autonomous driving in both the Expedient Leader Follower and Autonomous Ground Resupply programs, according to a 2021 Army release. The software allows for one manned vehicle to lead a series of unmanned vehicles in a convoy operation. The Marines awarded Oshkosh Defense the contract to add an off-road, self-driving package developed by Forterra, a ground-based autonomy company, to the ROGUE Fires vehicle in January, Defense News previously reported. The AutoDrive system gives the ROGUE Fires Oshkosh-built vehicle off-road, self-driving technology in 'nearly any environment,' which moves 'beyond Leader-Follower capabilities,' Forterra said in a Jan. 13 statement. The first test fire of the Naval Strike Missile from the platform happened in June 2020. The project sought to give Marines the punch needed for long range, anti-ship fires on a platform more mobile and able to hit moving targets than the legacy High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS. The missile has a range beyond 750 kilometers, which aligns with Marine warfighting concepts in which Marine units, some platoon or squad-sized, seize terrain for short periods and conduct sea control and sea denial for naval commanders.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Rapid strike: US military's light vehicles can now fire HIMARS rockets from anywhere
Oshkosh Defense is making a significant impression by showcasing its next-generation vehicle that can fire rockets at the Association of the United States Army's (AUSA) Global Force Symposium from March 25 to 27, 2025. The defense contractor is presenting its Remotely Operated Ground Unit for Expeditionary Fires (ROGUE-Fires), an advanced platform designed to enhance military capabilities through advanced autonomous technology. This year marks the first public demonstration of ROGUE-Fires, which can fire the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) Family of Munitions (MFOM) - the same munitions that the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) can fire. The hybrid platform is flexible enough to support a variety of mission-critical payloads, including long-range precision fires, autonomous resupply, and logistics functions, all aimed at boosting operational effectiveness in challenging environments. Oshkosh's ROGUE-Fires is built on the proven Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) chassis and features an adaptable powertrain that can be configured for hybrid-electric operation. This capability allows for silent drive and silent watch modes, which enhance stealth and fuel efficiency while providing additional power to support various missions. Pat Williams, chief programs officer at Oshkosh Defense, expressed enthusiasm about the platform's capabilities. "At AUSA Global Force, we're emphasizing ROGUE-Fires with MFOM to demonstrate its potential to deliver operationally relevant surface-to-surface fire support," he said. Williams also highlighted the company's commitment to contributing to the U.S. Army's evolution towards the Army of 2030, where effectively integrating human and machine capabilities will be essential. Oshkosh Defense has been expanding its portfolio of autonomy-ready tactical vehicles, including the FMTV A2 launcher and Palletized Load System (PLS) A2. These vehicles incorporate advanced drive-by-wire technology that supports modernization and enhances the safety of personnel in varied and dynamic battlefield conditions. Oshkosh is leveraging its extensive experience to create versatile autonomous platforms as military operations evolve. Williams noted that these innovations are crucial for meeting emerging threats and ensuring troops maintain operational superiority in diverse settings. In a significant development earlier this year, Oshkosh Defense secured a $29.9 million contract modification to integrate next-generation technology into ROGUE-Fires further. This initiative will see deliveries start in 2025, a move recognized by the Marine Corps Systems Command as pivotal for enhancing the Marine Corps' operational capabilities, particularly in seizing and defending strategic maritime territories. The project will be executed in partnership with Forterra, a firm specializing in ground-based autonomy. The ROGUE-Fires system aims to bolster the Marine Corps' sea denial strategies, enabling more effective multi-domain operations against potential adversaries. Its autonomous technology is designed to provide flexibility and resilience in contested areas, reducing the reliance on human intervention in high-risk environments. This capability is essential for improving battlefield effectiveness and lethality in regions such as the Indo-Pacific Command. Oshkosh's collaboration with industry partners like Forterra is key to ensuring that U.S. forces are equipped with the tools to navigate modern combat landscapes. "Through our enduring relationship with the Marine Corps and collaboration with leading tech partners, we strive to deliver solutions that enhance operational readiness," Williams stated. "ROGUE-Fires is designed to support the Marine Corps' modernization agendas, including innovative formations and a responsive force structure that can counter evolving threats." This latest initiative underscores Oshkosh Defense's dedication to advancing military technology while fostering partnerships that enhance the capabilities of U.S. armed forces in increasingly complex operational theaters.
