In order to provide land-based long-range anti-ship missile (LBASM) fires that exceeds the more than 185 kilometers (115 miles; 100 nautical mile) range of the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System(NMESIS) Naval Strike Missiles (NSM), also mounted on an unmanned Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Remotely Operated Ground Unit for Expeditionary (ROGUE Fires) vehicle, the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) have placed a single Tomahawk launcher on ROGUE-Fires JLTVs.
Called the Long-Range Missile (LMSL) Battery, the single Tomahawk launcher on a ROGUE- Fires JLTV should not be confused with the USMC Tomahawk trailer also called the Long-Range Fires Launcher (LRFL) towed by a Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement tractor.
This “acronym soup” of terminology does have purpose for the U.S. Marines. Essentially, with NMESIS NSMs and LMSL Maritime Strike Tomahawks, the Corps now has two unmanned JLTV systems that can strike at enemy ships from over 115 miles with NSM to over 1,000 miles with Tomahawk. And this doesn’t include the upcoming Precision Strike Missile (PRsM) that will load into the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and can engage moving ships. Some analysts and NMESIS critics have complained that the Naval Strike Missiles are too short in range to act as an effective anti-ship deterrent, but with Tomahawks, the anti-ship deterrent range is increased almost ten-fold.
A Press Release announced the creation of the first ROGUE-Fires Long Range Missile Battery for the U.S. Marines to align with their Force Design 2030 focus started by the recently retired USMC Commandant David Berger. “In a historic event at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, the 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division activated the Marine Corps’ first long-range missile battery during a ceremony July 21.
“The new battery, which falls directly under 11th Marines, is designed to enhance the division’s and the joint force’s long-range strike and eventually sea denial capability and lethality,” said the Marine Corps Press Release. “The long-range fires platform, NMESIS, and other fire support assets are only part of 1st MARDIV’s commitment to sea denial.”
Naval News reached out to the U.S. Marine Corps in July 2023 to inquire on more details and information on the Long-Range Missile (LMSL) Battery. Morgan Blackstock, Public Affairs Specialist at the Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC), Office of Public Affairs & Communication, replied via email.
Naval News: Please explain and describe the logic and purpose of the unmanned USMC Long-Range Missile (LMSL) Battery (Tomahawk on a ROGUE-Fires JLTV).
MCSC: The carrier platform uses automotive components that are common with the JLTV to reduce cost and improve logistics, but it is not a JLTV variant. The carrier is designated the Remotely Operated Ground Unit for Expeditionary Fires (ROGUE-Fires) and was developed under the Navy Marine Corps Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) program. The Marine Corps is pursuing this configuration for a more deployable and mobile Tomahawk platform.
Naval News: Is the JLTV Long Range Fires a Mark 41 VLS canister? If not a Mark 41, what is the VLS designation, or is it a shorter VLS tube?
MCSC: The Marine Corps is using one strike length cell of a Mk 41 launcher along with the launch electronics.
Naval News: What are the side boxes on the unmanned Long-Range Missile (LMSL) JLTV and what do they contain?
MCSC: The side boxes shown on the launcher are the fire control and electronic systems needed to program and launch the missile.
Naval News: Can you please explain what the JLTV with VLS canister is transportable in or slung under?
MCSC: The launcher is designed to be transportable on C-130 or larger aircraft as well as amphibious ships and connectors. The reload and resupply system utilizes LVSRs [Logistic Vehicle System Replacement] which are transportable by C-17 and larger aircraft.
Naval News: Public comments state that the Maritime Strike Tomahawk and Tomahawk cruise missiles aren’t survivable against enemy ships with CIWS and air missile defense systems. Can you please explain why the USMC chose to go forth with this development?
MCSC: Any questions concerning the Maritime Strike Tomahawk should be referred to the Navy program office.
Naval News: Public comments state that the Tomahawk is expensive to fire, that the USMC doesn’t have enough of them, and that the USMC will have a hard time reloading Tomahawk. Can you please comment?
MCSC: As recently reported, the USMC has designated the first LMSL battery and the program office is continuing to develop and field additional batteries. Regarding the ‘hard time reloading’ the Marine Corps has developed and tested a reload system that meets our operational requirements.
Naval News: Will the USMC Long-Range Missile (LMSL) JLTV fire anything else besides Tomahawk such as SM-6, ESSM, ASROC, or SM-3?
MCSC: LMSL batteries are only being equipped with Tomahawk missiles.
Naval News: Any plans to mount Tomahawk on the unmanned FMTV AML 6×6 chassis and if so, can two Tomahawks fit on the FMTV chassis?
MCSC: The Marine Corps does not have plans to integrate on the FMTV AML 6×6.
Naval News: Any unit cost per ROGUE-Fires Long-Range Missile (LMSL) JLTV launcher?
MCSC: We have not publicly released this information at this time.
Naval News: What other vehicles does the Long-Range Missile Battery contain and how many?
MCSC: LMSL batteries contain an array of vehicles (MTVRs, HMMWVS, JLTVs, etc.) similar to other Marine Corps artillery batteries for unit support including logistics and security. They are also equipped with LVSRs to handle transport and reload of Tomahawk missiles.