Oshkosh Defense to Deliver First ROGUE-Fires Anti-Ship Missile System to US Marine Corps by 2025.

At AUSA 2024, Oshkosh Defense announced that its new ROGUE-Fires vehicle, part of U.S. Marine Corps NMESIS (Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System), will be delivered by 2025 -2026. This cutting-edge unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) is designed to enhance Ground-Based Anti-Ship Missile (GBASM) operations, integrating extreme off-road mobility from the Oshkosh JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle) platform with advanced autonomous capabilities.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Oshkosh Defense showcases its cutting-edge ROGUE-Fires vehicle at AUSA 2024, highlighting its autonomous capabilities and role in ground-based anti-ship missile operations as part of the U.S. Marine Corps' future force structure. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The Oshkosh Defense ROGUE-Fires vehicle provides both teleoperated and fully autonomous modes, supporting various weapon payloads, including the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), and can perform distributed logistics operations. Low-rate production began in October 2023 following a contract with the Marine Corps Systems Command.

The development of the ROGUE-Fires vehicle by Oshkosh Defense began as part of the U.S. Marine Corps' efforts to modernize its capabilities in line with the Force Design 2030 initiative. The concept for ROGUE-Fires, an unmanned ground vehicle designed to launch Naval Strike Missiles (NSM), emerged to meet the growing need for mobile, land-based anti-ship missile platforms. Leveraging the proven Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) platform, the development began in the late 2010s, aiming to enhance the Marine Corps’ ability to engage enemy vessels from remote locations with a high degree of mobility and autonomy.

The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), developed by Oshkosh Defense, is a highly mobile, multi-purpose vehicle designed to replace the aging Humvee in U.S. military fleets. Introduced in the 2010s, the JLTV provides enhanced protection against mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) while maintaining superior off-road capabilities in challenging environments. It combines speed, payload capacity, and survivability, serving various missions, including troop transport, command, and weapons platforms. The JLTV’s modular design allows it to accommodate various configurations and emerging technologies, making it a critical asset for the modern expeditionary force

In August 2021, during Large Scale Exercise 21 (LSE 21), NMESIS was tested and validated in operational environments. The exercise demonstrated its ability to provide the Marine Littoral Regiment with ground-based anti-ship capabilities, allowing for sea denial and control within an enemy’s weapons engagement zone. LSE 21 validated several key concepts, showcasing how NMESIS could persist and perform in these highly contested environments.

NMESIS combines proven technologies, including the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) and ROGUE-Fires remote control capabilities. It enables "scoot-and-shoot" tactics, where the system can rapidly relocate after firing, making it difficult for adversaries to target.

ROGUE-Fires is an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) designed to support Ground-Based Anti-Ship Missile (GBASM) operations. Leveraging Oshkosh's JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle) chassis, it provides unparalleled off-road mobility and payload capacity. The system can operate in both teleoperated and fully autonomous modes, making it highly versatile. In addition to its primary mission of launching Naval Strike Missiles (NSM), ROGUE-Fires can also be adapted for distributed logistics operations, making it a multi-functional platform in modern warfare.

The Naval Strike Missile (NSM), developed by Kongsberg Defence, forms the core of NMESIS' firepower. It boasts a range of 185 km 100 nautical miles) and uses sea-skimming, low-radar signature flight paths to evade detection. Its advanced guidance systems ensure high accuracy, even against moving targets.

The NMESIS will be crucial in ensuring the U.S. military can effectively deny adversaries access to strategic maritime regions, particularly in the Pacific, as the Marine Corps prepares for its 2025 deployment. NMESIS is expected to be a vital tool in modern naval warfare, allowing the U.S. to maintain a competitive edge in sea denial and control operations.