The US Marine Corps has decided to abandon the Long Range Fires (LRF) launcher program, based on the Mark 41 VLS single-element unit for Tomahawk missiles mounted on the ROGUE-Fires vehicle. The cancellation is due to serious concerns about the maneuverability and suitability of the system for operations in coastal and difficult conditions.
The LRF program, which started in 2023, was aimed at expanding the capabilities of Marines to launch long-range strikes against both sea and land targets. As part of the initial deployment, four LRF installations were transferred to the 11th Marine Regiment Long-range Missile Battery at Camp Pendleton, California. It was planned to deploy 56 more such systems by fiscal year 2028.
However, after a thorough assessment, it was determined that the LRF does not provide the necessary mobility and adaptability for dynamic and complex coastal operations and expeditionary conditions. In an official statement, the Corps stressed that flexibility and the ability to use effectively in harsh environments remains a priority, which the LRF does not provide.
Instead, the Marine Corps is doubling down on investments in the NMESIS (Naval Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System) program, an extended—range missile system that better meets the demands of mobility and efficiency in coastal operations. This is reflected in the budget for fiscal year 2026.
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