As the sun sets on the Patriot air defense system’s tenure in Israel, the U.S. Marine Corps announces the dawn of a new era in mobile air defense capabilities.
Eyeing a 2025 fielding of groundbreaking systems that promise enhanced protection and agility for operations, especially in the critical Indo-Pacific region.
At the Modern Day Marine expo, the Corps shed light on its strategic push towards littoral operations, spearheading an effort to field three sophisticated, ground-based air defense systems.
These include the Medium-Range Intercept Capability (MRIC), the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS), and its lighter variant, Light MADIS.
The MRIC, leveraging Israel’s renowned Iron Dome technology, is set to fortify the Marines against higher-end threats such as cruise missiles and larger drones.
The mobile system integrates a truck-mounted Iron Dome launcher with Tamir interceptors, coupled with a Common Aviation Command-and-Control System (CAC2S) and a Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR).
“We are on track from a programmatic standpoint — cost, schedule performance — but we’re always gonna be late to need That’s not anything that we’re doing from a program office standpoint, that’s essentially derived from the threat. ’’
The threat is ever-changing and ever-evolving,” stated Col. Andrew Konicki, the program manager for Ground Based Air Defense.
The USMC’s procurement plan includes 80 Tamir interceptors from Israel in fiscal 2024, followed by an additional 240 in FY25.
With a vision to ultimately adopt a U.S.-variant named the SpyHunter missile, boasting significant commonality with the original weapon.
Furthermore, the MADIS consists of a pair of Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Heavy Guns Carriers, equipped with an array of weaponry, radars, and electronic warfare systems.
Its lighter counterpart, LMADIS, will ride on the Marines’ new Ultra Light Tactical Vehicle (ULTV), offering a nimble solution capable of transmitting and receiving data for target detection and tracking.
Meanwhile, Israel bids farewell to its American-made Patriot air defense systems after four decades of reliable service.
The retirement is a testament to the maturity and capability of Israel’s indigenous defenses, like the Iron Dome, Arrow, and David’s Sling.
The Israeli Air Force is divesting its Patriot batteries to streamline operations and bolster additional Iron Dome batteries, an initiative aligned with recent impressive performances of Israel’s integrated air defense array against diverse threats.
Relevant articles:
– Marines eye 2025 fielding of 3 new, mobile air defense systems, Breaking Defense
– Israel retires Patriot air defenses as native air defense systems step up, Breaking Defense
– End Simulator Tech to Infantry Combat Training, USNI News
– Marines to merge air control jobs as new air defense tech comes online, Marine Corps Times