Friday, April 09, 2021
Wednesday, April 07, 2021
Marine Corps explores potential of ship-killing NMESIS
via Shephard Media.
The USMC is advancing plans for a new fleet of robotically controlled, ship-killing ground vehicles as part of its Force Design 2030 effort to reconfigure the force against potential threats from China.
It is pressing ahead with development of a new capability that pairs a modified Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) with a Naval Strike Missile (NSM).
Without fanfare, the USMC in November 2020 conducted what it says was a successful test of the Navy and Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS). This is a planned initial material solution to meet a ground-based anti-ship missile requirement, as the USMC seeks to challenge peer adversaries.
‘The primary objective of the November test was to evaluate the system’s ability to launch a Naval Strike Missile and verify that the design of the vehicle does not interfere with the missile’s performance and that the vehicle is not damaged during the missile launch,’ USMC spokeswoman Teresa Ovalle said on 5 April.
She added: ‘The test confirmed the basic design concept and supported continued development.’
NMESIS fires an NSM from a launcher and fire control system integrated on a remotely controlled JLTV dubbed ROGUE-Fires.
‘The ROGUE vehicle is simply a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle that's been stripped of its armour and its crew cab, in order to provide a robotic vehicle that is controlled via a controller,’ LtGen Eric Smith, deputy commandant for combat development and integration, told the House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee on 18 March.
The modified JLTV is outfitted with a lidar sensor so that it can operate in a leader-follower mode, Smith said, adding: ‘It is paired as a manned-unmanned teaming setup.’
He said a ROGUE unit would be inserted by air — either sling-loaded on a CH-53K King Stallion or inside a KC-130 — or from the sea via surface connectors, including LCACs, landing craft utility, traditional L-class ships or the planned Light Amphibious Warships.
The USMC envisages that NMESIS would function as a key part of the future Marine Littoral Regiments.
‘Our Force Design initiatives are designed to create and maintain a competitive edge against tireless and continuously changing peer adversaries,’ Ovalle told Shephard. ‘The force design effort is a threat-informed, concept-based approach within a 10-year time horizon, intended to design a force to address National Defense Strategy-defined threats.’
Smith told Congress that the elegance of the NMESIS project is the quick reuse of mature systems. ‘Joint Light Tactical Vehicle: no new technology; Naval Strike Missile: no new technology,’ he summarised. ‘We simply integrated two existing technologies and that's how we buy down the risk. That is your ROGUE-Fires platform — immediately deployable and can hold adversary ships at risk at ranges in excess of 100 miles [160km].’
Has it occurred to anyone that 100 miles is an awfully short ranged system when you're talking about an anti-ship missile?
Additionally has anyone considered that even if you're stealthy, once you fire you're not only within the engagement range of the ship you're shooting at but every other enemy shooter in the vicinity?
These Littoral Regiments are designed to be expendable. It's the only thing that makes sense with such a short ranged missile. What has me spinning is that Army cannon artillery will soon reach as far.
One last thing.
Why the secrecy about this test?
We're past the point of return. Berger's concept is the future for the Marine Corps.
We might be done with the Middle East but I bet it ain't done with us...
The Pentagon is trying to clear the table so that they can push modernization. A couple of ongoing occupations of hostile countries isn't good for accomplishing that mission. The problem? The Pentagon might be done with the Middle East but I don't think its done with us.URGENT:
— RT (@RT_com) April 7, 2021
US agrees to withdraw 'remaining combat troops' from Iraq – reports
STORY: https://t.co/ZS7KyaRQrc pic.twitter.com/PfOyckAKKC
California Women's Prisons just became even more nightmarish for its inmates...
— Disclose.tv 🚨 (@disclosetv) April 7, 2021
"Azimuth" check on the Commandant's planning guidance? Not possible and that's by design...
"The backbone legacy capability in a ground combat scenario is the tank. Precision fires are not a substitute...The only thing that can tip the scales in close combat is armor-protected firepower." #TankTuesday @tsouthjourno https://t.co/B1IJ2Q2NlF
— John Spencer (@SpencerGuard) April 6, 2021
It's behind a firewall now but I had a chance to read and just plain wow! It seems that the tribe is waking up but its far too late.
Tuesday, April 06, 2021
Chinese aircraft carrier and her escorts pass Okinawa on their way to the Pacific...
Chinese aircraft carrier and 5 ships pass Okinawa on way to Pacific - the Liaoning goes to sea for a little stretch of her conventional legs and a flap at her wings. Does it matter? Yes - but let’s qualify this news. A thread, short-ish: https://t.co/8ZhcpuL5go
— Alessio Patalano (@alessionaval) April 6, 2021
Will the USMC change course?
It can't.
Berger's plan is shock and awe. Its moving fast and shedding current combat power by design.
He's moving fast even though circumstances were bound to change because he's made the same mistake that all transformationalist make. They're so sure of their plans that they implement change that fails to take into account changing events that affect the organization.
Additionally his goal requires a reduction in boat spaces. If he is to pay for his goal without additional funding then Marines have to be dismissed from the service.
Costs will skyrocket so you can bet that the floor won't be 150K Marines. My guess is that in order to keep this plan within current funding it'll have to dip closer to 100K Marines.
Additionally the USMC is becoming aviation heavy.
Two platforms are going to continue to gobble up the Marine Corps. The F-35 and the CH-53K.
My prediction is that you'll see two things. A reduction in the buy of both and an increased reliance on Army aviation (with a serious node to "integrating" Navy rotary/tilt wing assets) to make up for the gap.
The Chinese reacted.
They've already jacked with Berger's concept and I'm sure more is to come.
The New Missile Marines aren't gonna cut it in the future conflict and we're stuck with the force design for the next 20 years.
Let's hope war doesn't come...and if it does its not a fight for the survival of the nation.
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