US Marines Conduct Drone Tracking Exercise with Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radar mounted on Humvee.

On April 4, 2024, High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV) from the US Marine Corps, equipped with the Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radar (MHR®) produced by DRS RADA Technologies, participated in a high-energy laser expeditionary exercise. These vehicles, assigned to the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren and Crane divisions, were part of the Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course 2-24 at the tactical airfield near Wellton, Arizona. The WTI is an advanced-level course that provides tactical training to enhance and employ advanced aerial weapons and tactics.
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USMC Humvee Mounted with Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radar (MHR®) (Picture source: DRS RADA Technologies and Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren and Crane divisions)

The Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) is a comprehensive air defense initiative by the US Marine Corps designed to improve the detection, tracking, and neutralization of aerial threats, particularly unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The program leverages advanced radar technology such as the Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radar (MHR®) by DRS RADA, which offers 360-degree coverage and superior target tracking capabilities. These radars are integrated into various platforms, including the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) and the MRZR, creating MADIS and Light-MADIS variants. The MADIS program has transitioned from an urgent operational need to an official program, indicating its critical importance for Marine Corps operations (Breaking Defense, USNI News).

The MADIS program significantly enhances the Marines' ability to counter modern threats. By providing robust and mobile air defense systems, it allows the Marines to effectively detect and engage enemy UAS, fixed-wing aircraft, and other aerial threats in various operational environments. The integration of these advanced radar systems on tactical vehicles such as Humvees and JLTVs ensures that the Marines can maintain situational awareness and protection on the move. This capability is crucial for protecting Marine units during deployments, improving their operational effectiveness, and increasing their survivability in hostile environments.

The Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) and Crane Division play essential roles in this program. NSWCDD is primarily responsible for software development and analyses required for system integration and interoperability, ensuring that MADIS components work harmoniously and effectively. Concurrently, the Crane Division manages the hardware aspects of the program, overseeing the acquisition, testing, and evaluation of hardware components. Together, these divisions provide crucial technical and logistical support, enabling MADIS to meet the requirements of the Marine Corps and enhance their mobile air defense capabilities in the field.

The Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radar (MHR®) is a high-tech ground radar system designed for multiple operational missions, including Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS), Very Short-Range Air Defense (VSHORAD), Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar (C-RAM), and hemispheric surveillance. This advanced pulse-Doppler, software-defined, S-band radar platform features an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) antenna and Gallium Nitride (GaN) amplifiers, providing exceptional 4D processing capabilities for superior clutter handling and multipath mitigation.

The MHR radar supports a diverse range of operational missions, both on the move and stationary, for ground and maritime applications. For C-UAS and VSHORAD missions, it handles all types of aerial threats, including Class 1 micro-UAVs. In C-RAM and Sense & Warn missions, the radar detects and warns against indirect fires and low-trajectory threats, determining the Point of Origin (POO) and Point of Impact (POI). For hemispheric surveillance, it can simultaneously detect and track aerial and ground threats.

The Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radar (MHR®) stands out for its exceptional situational awareness, combat survivability, and ability to efficiently accomplish a wide range of operational missions. This exercise and continuous advancements in radar technology underscore the Marine Corps' commitment to maintaining a tactical advantage and ensuring the safety and effectiveness of its operations.