ROGUE-Fires Carrier.

Technical Data

• Launcher Unit

  The ROGUE-Fires vehicle houses a vertical launch system capable of carrying up to four Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) in individual launch cells. The launcher is positioned on the rear of the ROGUE-Fires Carrier for optimal weight distribution and ease of access. Each four-launch cell can accommodate a single NSM, and the system allows for rapid reloading and launch readiness. The launcher is remotely operated, enabling the vehicle to launch the NSM while remaining at a safe distance from potential threats.

  The launcher is mounted on a modular and secure platform to ensure the missiles are held in place during transport and launch. The vehicle can rapidly reposition across various terrains, giving it the flexibility to relocate and fire from different positions during a combat operation. Each ROGUE-Fires vehicle is typically operated by a crew of three to five Marines, with key personnel responsible for targeting, coordination, and launch operations. The crew works together to ensure the system is fully operational and responsive to commands during a mission.

  The system is designed for distributed operations, meaning that multiple vehicles can operate in concert or independently. A leader vehicle coordinates the launch of missiles, while the ROGUE-Fires launchers provide strike capabilities. The ROGUE-Fires Carrier is a vital asset in the broader context of littoral combat and coastal defense, allowing the Marines to launch precision strikes at long range.

• Missile

  The ROGUE-Fires vehicle's primary weapon is the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), a subsonic cruise missile with advanced multi-mode guidance and a high-explosive warhead. The missile is specifically designed to strike surface targets at long ranges, and its stealthy design allows it to approach enemy vessels at low altitudes, often skimming the surface of the water to avoid radar detection. The missile’s range is up to 185 km (100 nautical miles), providing a significant standoff capability in coastal defense scenarios.

  The NSM is equipped with an active radar seeker for precision targeting, allowing it to lock onto enemy ships even in complex environments. It also uses inertial navigation and GPS to guide the missile to the vicinity of the target before the active radar seeker takes over for terminal guidance. This multi-layered guidance system ensures the missile remains highly accurate even in contested environments.

  The NSM warhead is a high-explosive charge capable of inflicting extensive damage to various surface vessels, from large warships to smaller craft. Its low radar cross-section and sea-skimming flight profile make it highly difficult for enemy air defense systems to intercept, offering a stealthy and reliable strike option.

• Mobility

  The ROGUE-Fires Carrier vehicle is based on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), which is widely recognized for its rugged mobility, protection, and payload capabilities. The JLTV chassis is equipped with an independent suspension system that provides excellent off-road performance, making the ROGUE-Fires vehicle highly maneuverable in diverse environments, such as coastal areas, rugged terrain, and urban landscapes.

  The ROGUE-Fires Carrier is powered by a 300-horsepower diesel engine, which provides a maximum speed of 113 km/h (70 mph) on paved roads and up to 72 km/h (45 mph) on rougher, off-road terrain. The vehicle has a range of  480-640 km (300 to 400 miles), depending on operational conditions and terrain type. Its mobility is critical in supporting expeditionary operations, allowing for quick repositioning of the launch system to optimal firing positions, avoiding detection, and evading counterattacks.

  The vehicle's all-terrain capabilities ensure that it can be deployed in a variety of environments, including soft sand, muddy, and rocky terrain, which are common in coastal and littoral zones. The ROGUE-Fires Carrier is equipped with high ground clearance to navigate obstacles and dense vegetation, which further enhances its ability to operate in rugged conditions without being impeded by the environment. These mobility features make the ROGUE-Fires vehicle a key asset in the Marine Corps distributed operations strategy.

• Command and Control Vehicles

  The ROGUE-Fires Carrier operates in conjunction with a command and control (C2) vehicle, also built on the JLTV chassis. The C2 vehicle plays a vital role in coordinating missile launches, managing targeting data, and facilitating communication with other units. It ensures that the launch system is effectively integrated into the broader operational environment.

  Equipped with advanced communication systems, the C2 vehicle allows for real-time exchange of targeting information, mission coordination, and fire control. It ensures that the ROGUE-Fires Carrier is directed to the right location to engage enemy targets and can adjust mission parameters based on the evolving combat situation. The C2 vehicle can communicate with multiple launch platforms, providing a networked strike capability for the Marine Corps.

  In addition to controlling missile launches, the C2 vehicle can integrate with sensor systems and targeting radar to enhance operational awareness and ensure the effective use of the Naval Strike Missile. By maintaining situational awareness and synchronized operations across multiple vehicles, the C2 vehicle is integral to the success of the NMESIS system, particularly in complex, distributed combat operations.

• Combat Use

  The ROGUE-Fires vehicle is designed for distributed coastal defense and expeditionary warfare. It allows the U.S. Marine Corps to launch long-range, precision strikes against enemy surface vessels from land-based positions, enhancing operational flexibility. Deployed in platoons consisting of multiple launchers and a command vehicle, the ROGUE-Fires Carrier can operate independently or in concert with other units to create a powerful, networked missile strike force.

  The system is intended for use in littoral zones where access to traditional naval assets may be limited or in contested environments where rapid repositioning is necessary. By enabling the launch of Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) from land, the ROGUE-Fires vehicle greatly enhances the Marine Corps' ability to strike maritime targets from remote locations.

  The ROGUE-Fires Carrier operates effectively in a variety of combat scenarios, including anti-surface warfare, coastal defense, and littoral combat. It is an integral part of the Marine Corps' Force Design 2030 strategy, providing a mobile, responsive, and highly capable missile platform for engaging maritime threats at long ranges while maintaining operational flexibility in rapidly changing environments. The ROGUE-Fires vehicle’s mobility