• Air Warfare

  US Navy tests new comms pod for Marine Corps’ MQ-9A Reaper

  12th March 2025

  The pod, named SkyTower II (STII) was tested ahead of the system’s initial operational capability (IOC) in 2026.

• Land Warfare

  New ROGUE-Fires contract moves programme forward

  13th January 2025

  The $29.9 million agreement covers the delivery of 48 platforms.

• Naval Warfare

  Lawmakers plan to provide US Navy with multi-year procurement authority for US Marine Corps’ CH-53K

  4th June 2024

  The National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) proposal for FY2025 authorised the service to enter into multi-year acquisition contracts from the next fiscal year.

• Training

  US Marine Corps defines lines-of-action to improve military training

  14th June 2024

  The service issued its Training and Education Annual Report with the intention of better preparing marines for future warfare.

• Land Warfare

  General Dynamics and Textron to develop Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle prototypes

  7th March 2024

  The USMC originally purchased 758 LAV-25 vehicles delivered from 1983–88 in six major variants. General Dynamics Land Systems and Textron Systems Corporation will develop competing prototypes to replace them.

• Land Warfare

  US Marine Corps to double investment in mortars

  21st March 2024

  The US Marine Corps has requested a US$128 million fund to cover mortar capabilities over the next fiscal year after aligning to Force Design 2030 and learning from lessons that have emerged from the conflict in Ukraine.

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2023: US Marine Corps seek AI capabilities for training purposes

  28th November 2023

  The US Marine Corps is divesting its legacy training systems and simulations to adopt solutions that can enable replicating current and future operating environments with high fidelity.

• Land Warfare

  Oshkosh Defense wins contract for more uncrewed JLTV anti-ship rocket systems

  5th October 2023

  Oshkosh delivered six of the JLTV-based anti-ship systems to the USMC earlier this year as part of of the USMC's modernisation plans of Force Design 2030.

• Defence Notes

  USMC adapts to new strategic realities caused by Chinese actions and ambitions

  23rd August 2023

  Returning to its roots in many senses, the USMC is working hard to transition to expeditionary operations in the Western Pacific region.

• Defence Notes

  What's new in the updated version of the US Marines Force Design 2030

  9th June 2023

  The most recent Force Design 2030 document introduces adjustments in terms of capabilities, doctrine, structure and training focusing on improving readiness.

• Defence Notes

  Updated US Marine Corps Force Design 2030 highlights need for novel capabilities

  6th June 2023

  The USMC is seeking air-launched swarming munitions as well as multi-domain reconnaissance and C2 systems to boost its frontline force.

• Land Warfare

  US marines get expeditionary boost from new ULTV vehicle programme

  20th June 2023

  The USMC has reached the IOC milestone and started fielding the Ultra Light Tactical Vehicle.

• Land Warfare

  Textron delivers bespoke reconnaissance vehicle to US marines

  14th December 2022

  Textron has delivered a single bespoke Cottonmouth Reconnaissance Vehicle to the USMC for formal evaluation.

• Training

  History repeating at I/ITSEC 2022 Senior Leader Panel

  29th November 2022

  I/ITSEC's Senior Leader Panel discussion raised some thought-provoking military simulation and training issues this year, but while some were new, others had been aired many times before.

• Land Warfare

  US Marines to field Next Generation Handheld Targeting System in FY24

  18th August 2022

  Acquired in February 2022, the Next Generation Handheld Targeting System will allow Marines to rapidly and accurately conduct target location and laser guidance during combat operations.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Loitering munitions

  Long-Range Attack Munition (LRAM) [USMC]

  Programme Background Force Design 2030 The USMC Force Design 2030 is a modernisation effort to create a lighter, more agile maritime force. The update to ...

• Fighter - naval

  F-35B STOVL Future Procurement - US Navy

  US Navy has ordered 122 F-35B aircraft until FY2020, the remaining 202 fighters will be acquired at a rate of 10 and 17 per year ...

• Loitering munitions

  Organic Precision Fire - Light (OPF-L) [USMC]

  Programme Background Force Design 2030 The USMC Force Design 2030 is a modernisation effort to create a lighter, more agile maritime force. In May 2022, an annual ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Micro VTOL [USMC]

  Programme Background Force Design 2030 The USMC Force Design 2030 is a modernisation effort to create a lighter, more agile maritime force. The update to ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  AH-1Z

  In issuing the Force Design 2030 report into the future direction of the USMC, the corps is attempting to steer the course of its development, ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Nano VTOL [USMC]

  Programme Background Force Design 2030 The USMC Force Design 2030 is a modernisation effort to create a lighter, more agile maritime force. The update to ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  Medium Range/Medium Endurance (MR/ME) [USMC]

  Programme Background Force Design 2030 The USMC Force Design 2030 is a modernisation effort to create a lighter, more agile maritime force. The update to ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  Long Range/Long Endurance (LR/LE) [USMC]

  Programme Background Force Design 2030 The USMC Force Design 2030 is a modernisation effort to create a lighter, more agile maritime force. The update to ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Short Range/Short Endurance (SR/SE) [USMC]

  Programme Background Force Design 2030 The USMC Force Design 2030 is a modernisation effort to create a lighter, more agile maritime force. The update to ...

• Loitering munitions

  Organic Precision Fire - Mounted (OPF-M) [USMC]

  Programme Background Armed Vehicles In June 2021, Shephard reported that the USMC had selected the HERO-120 for the OPF-M programme. The USMC planned to integrate ...

• Military helicopters - maritime, Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-53K - US Navy

  Programme Background The Marine Corps is replacing its aging CH-53E helicopters with the CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter. Designed as an evolution of the CH-53E, the CH-53K ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV (US - USMC)

  Programme Background The Armored Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Tanks

  M1/M1A1 Abrams

  The 105mm-armed M1 Abrams tracked MBT was introduced into US Army service in 1980 as a replacement for the 105mm-armed M60 MBT. In April 1991, ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV

  BAE Systems teamed with Iveco Defence to offer a version of Iveco Defence Vehicle's Superav for the USMC's Armored Combat Vehicle Phase 1 Increment 1 ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  V-Bat (Family)

  The V-Bat is a fixed-wing UAV from Shield UAV, which features a patented ducted fan design. It is designed explicitly for runway and equipment-independent launch ...