US Marine Corps forms first unit with ground-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles
The US Marine Corps has formed its first unit to carry Tomahawk cruise missiles in a ground-launched version. The service hopes to have a fully operational battalion by the end of the decade.
Here's What We Know
The first Long Range Missile Battery (LMSL) is officially named Battery A. It is part of the 11th Marine Regiment and is based at Camp Pendleton, Calif. It was announced by Cathy Close, spokesperson for Combat Development and Integration Command (CD&I).
For now, she said, First Battery is working to improve tactics techniques and procedures associated with the application of "this unique capability." The Marine Corps expects the battalion to reach full operational capability no later than fiscal year 2030.
The battalion will include three long-range missile batteries. The number of launchers and other systems is not yet specified. It is noted that the launcher will be mounted on a 4x4 vehicle, which is a modification of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV).
The vehicle in question is the ROGUE-Fire, better known as NMESIS (pictured above). The special feature of the vehicle is that we are dealing with a drone. The same platform is used for Naval Strike Missile (NSM) launches.
Combining the ROGUE-Fire with the Tomahawk has several complications. The main one is the size of Raytheon's cruise missile. The overall length of the Tomahawk, including the booster, is 7 metres. That said, the vehicle has stability issues even with NSM missiles that are 4 meters long.
How the Marine Corps will resolve this issue is not yet known. But from all indications, work in this direction is already underway. At least last year, the service announced at least one test firing of the Tomahawk from an unmanned mobile launcher.
In conclusion we would like to add that the Marine Corps is not the only one who intends to "master" the ground-based Tomahawk. However, the US Army has decided not to make problems for itself. Lockheed Martin has developed the Typhon launcher as part of its Mid-Range Capability (MRC) program. It is based on the Mk 41 VLS and can use SM-6 missiles along with the Tomahawk.
Source: The War Zone
