The US Marine Corps launched missiles at ships from Okinawa — the new NMESIS system is in action

NMESIS — mobile missile salvo from the shore

In recent weeks, the US Marines have been actively practicing a new tactic: launching anti-ship missiles from shore at naval targets. For the first time, this was done from Okinawa, a key American foothold in Japan. The missiles were launched from the NMESIS (Naval/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System), a mobile, stealthy and extremely dangerous system for enemy ships.

This is not just an exercise. This is a demonstration of how the United States is changing the rules of the game in the Pacific Ocean.

Studying in Japan is not just an exercise, but a signal

The NMESIS system arrived in Japan on July 10, after which the Marines of the 3rd Division spent several weeks in intensive training. They practiced deployment, camouflage, targeting, and finally launch. The successful launch was a confirmation of combat readiness.

The location in Okinawa is not an accident. This is the closest point to potential "hot spots". Here you can control the East China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, and even part of the South China Sea.

How does a system that hides and hits accurately work?

NMESIS is not a stationary launcher. It is an unmanned truck based on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) chassis, which can move through difficult terrain, disguise itself and quickly change position. It is equipped with two Naval Strike Missile (NSM) missiles from the Norwegian Kongsberg.

The missiles are inconspicuous, maneuver in front of the target and hit with high accuracy. And most importantly, the system is autonomous. You can deploy it, launch it, and leave it without leaving a trace. It is almost impossible for the opponent to understand where the blow came from.

185 km to the goal — why is the USA in the Pacific Ocean

A range of 185 kilometers is not just a number. This is a zone where you can reach enemy ships without leaving the cover of the land. Imagine a small group of Marines deploying on an island, launching missiles and disappearing. During this time, the ship can already be hit.

This tactic is part of the "distributed operations" strategy, where there are no large bases, but there are many small, secretive and deadly points. This makes the opponent vulnerable and limits his freedom of action.

Sources

1. Japan Times — NMESIS deployment & training on Okinawa
2. Stars and Stripes — 3rd Marine Division live-fire rehearsal at Camp Hansen
3. Newsweek — strategic importance of NMESIS in Indo-Pacific deterrence
4. Army Recognition — technical overview & 185 km NSM range
5. USNI News — first Japan-based training; kill-chain rehearsal
6. Defence Blog — rapid-reload drills with ROGUE-Fires JLTV

The US Marines will leave the MQ-9 drones in Okinawa for a long time — this is not just an exercise

Six MQ-9 Reapers remain in Okinawa

The US Marine Corps has officially announced that six MQ-9 Reaper reconnaissance drones, which have been based at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa since August 2024, will remain in place — and not for a couple of weeks, but indefinitely. This is not another temporary deployment. This is a signal: the United States is strengthening its presence in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, and it is doing so with the help of drones that see everything.

These vehicles are assigned to the 3rd Squadron of unmanned aerial vehicles (VMU-1) of the 24th Marine Aviation Group, part of the 1st Aviation Wing.

Drones from Kadena — the eyes of Marines in the Pacific Ocean

The MQ-9 Reaper is not just a camera in the sky. It is a heavy reconnaissance drone with the possibility of round-the-clock patrolling, capable of staying in the air for up to 27 hours. It is equipped with powerful optics, radar systems and can carry weapons. From Okinawa, he controls not only the waters around Japan, but also the approaches to Taiwan, the East China Sea, and southern China.

From now on, these drones will operate from Kadena all the time, which dramatically increases operational readiness and reduces reaction time.

Typhon in Iwakuni is not just a launcher, but a signal

At the same time, in September, the Typhon missile system is being deployed at the Marine Corps Air Base in Iwakuni and in the surrounding areas. She will take part in the Resolute Dragon exercises (September 11-25). Typhon is not just a replacement for old systems: It is a mobile complex capable of launching both anti-ship missiles and long-range ballistic targets.

Its deployment in Japan — for the first time — shows that the United States is ready to act at a great distance from its bases. And they do it on the territory of an ally.

Agreement with Japan: now we fly together

The decision to abandon drones and deploy Typhon was made possible by an agreement reached in July 2024 between the United States and Japan at the level of defense and foreign ministers. The parties agreed to expand cooperation in the field of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR).

Data from the MQ-9 can now be shared with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. It's not just coordination, it's a unified surveillance network that makes the region more transparent to allies and more dangerous to potential adversaries.

Sources

1. Stars and Stripes — U.S. Marine Corps extends MQ-9 Reaper deployment at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa.
2. Asianews.network — confirmation of up to six MQ-9s at Kadena to bolster surveillance over the Nansei Islands.
3. Newsweek — U.S. lengthens Okinawa Reaper mission amid rising tensions and regular East China Sea patrols.
4. USNI News — Typhon missile system deployed at MCAS Iwakuni for Resolute Dragon exercises (11–25 Sep), the first of its kind in Japan.

Japan received the first three F-35B fighter jets to revive carrier-based aviation after World War II

Japan has taken an important step in updating its Air Force - on August 8, the first three fifth—generation F-35B fighters with a shortened takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) arrived at the Nyutabaru Airbase in Miyazaki Prefecture. This marks the country's return to carrier-based aviation operations for the first time since the end of World War II.

For now, the aircraft will be based at the Nyutabaru Air Force Base, but in the future they will be operated from Izumo-class naval helicopter carriers — JS Izumo and JS Kaga, which are currently being upgraded to receive carrier-based fighters. Interestingly, these ships have already received the F-35B of the US Marine Corps during joint exercises.

The pilots of the American Marine Corps have not only delivered planes to Japan, but will also train Japanese military personnel in piloting and operating the F-35B.

In total, Japan plans to receive 42 such fighters, of which eight are expected to arrive by the end of fiscal year 2025. Full operational readiness of carrier-based aircraft on Izumo and Kaga is planned for 2027-2028.

The arrival of the F-35B is a big step for Japan, strengthening its naval and air defenses, especially amid growing tensions in the region and China's increased military presence.

The US Marine Corps officially launches the Valkyrie program — new variants of the MQ-58 drone in development

The US Marine Corps has decided to make the Valkyrie drone program, known as the MQ-58, full-fledged and official. It used to be an experimental project, but now the Valkyrie is becoming the first mass-produced unmanned combat aircraft (CCA) to officially enter service with the Marine Corps.

Kratos is already preparing for a new stage of production of these drones to meet the needs of the Marines. In addition, cooperation with Airbus is planned, which may help with the development and production of new variants of the MQ-58.

So Valkyrie has great prospects ahead — it will turn into a full-fledged combat system that will perform various tasks tactically and strategically. These drones will give the Marines new capabilities for reconnaissance, support, and strikes, helping to make operations more efficient and safer.

Pentagon gave Raytheon 32.5 million for the production of new missile systems for the Marines

MRIC (Medium-Range Interception Capability)

On July 24, 2025, the Pentagon officially announced that Raytheon Missiles and Defense had received a $32.5 million contract, and this was a serious bid for the future. The money will be used to support the MRIC (Medium-Range Interception Capability) program, a medium—range interception system that the US Marine Corps is actively developing.

What exactly did you buy? 44 sets of so—called LLI products with a long production time. Simply put, these are the key parts and components that take a long time to make, but without them you cannot assemble a full-fledged system. Now they are being purchased for future use, so that they can quickly launch mass production of MRIC without delay.

In addition, the contract includes an additional amount of LLI — some will be used for spare parts, some for the modernization of already delivered prototypes. That is, not just new systems, but the refinement of old ones so that everything works clearly and according to a single standard.

What does it mean? And the fact that the Marines are seriously preparing for a new generation of air defense. MRIC is a step towards autonomy: the ability to turn around quickly, detect a threat and destroy it at medium range, regardless of army or air force structures. Raytheon, as always, is at the center of events — and, apparently, we will hear more about MRIC in the coming years.

For the first time, the US Marine Corps has integrated the JUMP 20 drone aboard an amphibious ship

 

UAS JUMP 20

The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) has reached a historic milestone in modernizing its combat capabilities. For the first time in history, the unit has successfully integrated and flown the JUMP 20 unmanned Aerial System (UAS) from an amphibious warship, marking an important step in the development of the Distributed maritime Operations (DMO) concept.

This breakthrough was a key element in preparing the MEU for the role of an advanced rapid reaction force capable of operating autonomously in high-threat environments. The UAS JUMP 20 integration provides the squad with a powerful means of reconnaissance, surveillance and targeted escort, increasing its ability to interact with the enemy at a great distance from the main forces.

The JUMP 20 drone, developed by the American company Skyfront, has a unique hybrid power plant that combines the advantages of electric and gasoline engines. It is capable of staying in the air for up to 10 hours, reaching speeds of up to 130 km/ h and carrying various payloads — from optoelectronic systems to communications and electronic intelligence.

The inclusion of drones in expeditionary units is part of the broader strategy of the United States Marine Corps to adapt to the new challenges of countering equal opponents. As part of the Force Design 2030 concept, the Marine Corps is being retrofitted to more mobile, distributed, and technologically equipped formations capable of operating in archipelagic and coastal environments.

JUMP 20 flights from amphibious ships demonstrate the possibility of rapid deployment of UAVs in tactical depth, increasing the detection zone and reducing dependence on large aircraft carrier groups. This is especially important in potential theaters of war, such as the Indo-Pacific region, where the confrontation with China requires new approaches to the use of force.

With this event in mind, we can talk about the beginning of a new era in the operation of unmanned systems at the level of tactical units, where UAVs become not just an auxiliary tool, but a full-fledged element of combat control and fire support.

Airbus and Shield AI join forces for autonomous logistics: Hivemind integrates into MQ-72C

 

MQ-72C

The companies Airbus US Space & Defense and Shield AI have entered into a strategic agreement to integrate the Hivemind autonomous control software from Shield AI into the unmanned logistics connector MQ-72C, a modification of the UH-72 Lakota helicopter.  

The goal of the partnership is to increase the operational flexibility of the aircraft through the introduction of autonomous flight capabilities, which is especially important to support future logistics missions of the United States Marine Corps.  

The cooperation is carried out within the framework of the Aerial Logistics Connector (ALC) program, aimed at developing unmanned platforms capable of operating effectively in contested space and reducing risks for crews during cargo delivery in complex operational areas.  

As part of the project, the companies will test Hivemind software in combination with Helionix avionics, which will enable a number of advanced autonomous missions, including automated takeoff, navigation in dense airspace and landing without human intervention.  

This collaboration marks an important step towards the development of unmanned logistics for military needs and demonstrates the commitment of Airbus and Shield AI to create solutions that can be used not only in the United States, but also in other NATO countries.

Unlocking the potential of Red Wolf modular weapons for AH-1Z helicopters

 

The US Marine Corps may receive a key new tool for striking from a distance thanks to mysterious missiles included in the modular Red Wolf family of "firing effects" from L3Harris. These unique systems open up new horizons not only in the field of kinetic weapons, but also in the field of non-kinetic tasks such as communication relay.

Red Wolf is a family of multifunctional devices that can be configured for various tasks. First of all, these systems are designed for use on AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, which have long been considered the backbone of the US Marine Corps aviation. However, the capabilities of Red Wolf go far beyond the classic missile weapons.

Red Wolf systems can be configured to perform kinetic tasks — hitting targets at a distance using precision-guided warheads. But their uniqueness lies in their ability to adapt to non-kinetic roles, such as deploying communications relay nodes, collecting data, or even interfering with an adversary. This makes Red Wolf a universal solution for modern combat conditions.

The key advantage of Red Wolf is its modularity. This means that the same unit can be retrofitted for different tasks, depending on the operational need. For example, during one mission, the system can be used to destroy enemy equipment, and in another, to provide temporary communication between units in radio silence.

This flexibility allows the Marine Corps to significantly increase the effectiveness of its AH-1Z attack helicopters. Now they can not only perform combat missions, but also play an important role in providing communications and intelligence, becoming a universal tool on the battlefield.

The introduction of Red Wolf could be an important step in the development of technology for the Marine Corps. Experts note that such systems can be easily adapted to other platforms, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and ground vehicles. This opens the door to new opportunities in the field of tactical operations and logistics.

In addition, the use of non-kinetic functions, such as communication relay, can be especially useful in conditions of difficult terrain or in the absence of fixed communication systems. This will allow you to maintain communication between units even in the most remote areas.

For the US Marine Corps, the introduction of Red Wolf will be an important step in modernizing its strike capabilities. Systems of this type can not only improve the accuracy and effectiveness of strikes, but also expand the range of tasks performed. This is especially important in the context of modern conflicts, where rapid adaptation to changing conditions is required.

Mayman Aerospace has successfully tested the RAZOR P100 autonomous drone with the revolutionary SKYFIELD system

RAZOR P100

Mayman Aerospace has announced the successful completion of the test flights of the Vertical Takeoff and Landing Unmanned System (VTOL) RAZOR P100 at the United States Marine Corps Ground Air Warfare Center in Twentynine Palms, California. This event completed 18 months of development and confirmed the drone's full autonomy in difficult conditions.  

RAZOR P100 Features  

The RAZOR P100 is part of the company's family of autonomous VTOL systems capable of carrying loads up to 100 pounds (45 kg) over a range of 240 miles (386 km). During the tests, the drone performed a fully wireless flight for the first time, adapting to real missions and environmental changes without human intervention.  

SKYFIELD System: The drone's brain  

The key innovation was the SKYFIELD autonomous system, which uses artificial intelligence to control swarms of drones, navigate complex terrain, and make decisions without external control. SKYFIELD also integrates with combat control systems and operates in the absence of GPS or electronic countermeasures.  

The project was implemented under a contract with the US Department of Defense under the Other Transaction Authority (OTA) program, which highlights the military potential of the RAZOR P100. The drone can be used both for cargo delivery and for reconnaissance in conflict zones.  

U.S. Marines to receive high-speed electric marine gliders

The U.S. Marines will receive high-speed, radar-invisible electric marine gliders for rescue operations.

The Viceroy marine glider can reach speeds of up to 180 miles per hour over a distance of about 180 miles.

Regent Craft, an all-electric marine glider company based in Rhode Island, has completed its initial contract with the United States Marine Corps Combat Laboratory (MCWL).

The conclusion of an additional agreement worth 10 million dollars by the company was a significant step forward., which opens up opportunities for further expansion.The initial phase of Regent's partnership with MCWL, estimated at US$4.75 million, included twelve key results confirming the technical feasibility of marine gliders.

Viceroy Marine Glider