The Marine Corps new anti-ship missile launchers will add a self-driving functionality following a Pentagon contract for floor automobile autonomy.
On Monday, Forterra introduced that its AutoDrive System can be built-in into Oshkosh Protection’s Remotely Operated Floor Unit for Expeditionary (ROGUE) Fires automobiles, an unmanned variant of the Joint Tactical Mild Automobile, developed for the Marine Corps. The service is ready to function two automobile variants via the Naval Strike Missile-mounted Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) and the Tomahawk-capable Lengthy Vary Fires Launcher. In response to the service, these launchers will present the service with “an natural anti-surface warfare functionality in assist of Expeditionary Superior Base Operations.”
“Fielding self-driving floor autonomy on ROGUE Fires is essential to the Marines’ modernization plans and Forterra is proud to accomplice with Oshkosh Protection on a system that may cut back casualties and enhance our warfighters’ capacity to struggle and win,” mentioned Christian Seifert, Head of Robotic Missile Programs at Forterra in an announcement to USNI Information.
Since its introduction in 2021, the unmanned ROGUE Fires missile launcher maneuvered by way of distant management or adopted a frontrunner automobile. Marine operators additionally guided the automobile on foot utilizing this follow-the-leader functionality. Whereas earlier modes of steerage demonstrated restricted autonomy, that is the primary time the service plans to put in a self-driving functionality on NMESIS. Forterra claimed that its AutoDrive system will deliver enhanced maneuverability in any setting whereas additionally lessening the pressure on its Marine operators from remotely controlling the launcher.
This contract comes amid two low-rate preliminary manufacturing orders in Fiscal Yr 2025 and the current activation of the system’s first NMESIS battery within the Hawaii-based third Marine Littoral Regiment. The service additionally activated its first Tomahawk cruise missile battery based mostly on the ROGUE-FIRES platform final 12 months in California.
“By seamlessly integrating cutting-edge autonomous applied sciences with Oshkosh methods, we’re equipping the Marine Corps to strengthen sea denial capabilities, improve operational agility, and keep a decisive technological edge in opposition to evolving threats,” Pat Williams, chief packages officer at Oshkosh Protection, highlighted in a press launch.
These launchers would be the Marine Corps major anti-ship capabilities within the coming years underneath Power Design 2030, a service-wide plan that goals to arrange Marines for a future island-hopping struggle within the Indo-Pacific and past.
