USMC Concepts & Programs 2013 - Defense Innovation Marketplace

chapter 3: programs
Introduction
In 2007, the “Major Combat Operations Analysis for Fiscal Years 2014
to 2024” study scrutinized the in-service organic fire support of the Marine
Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) to determine the adequacy, integration, and
modernization requirements for ground, aviation, and naval surface fires. The
Marine Corps also performed a supplemental historical study using Operation
Iraqi Freedom data to examine MAGTF fires in the full spectrum of warfare.
These studies reconfirmed our development of complementary systems of
ground indirect fires.
Ground indirect fires require a medium-caliber cannon artillery capability,
an extended-range ground-based rocket capability, and a capability with
greater lethality than current mortars but greater tactical mobility than in-service
artillery systems. This provides a balanced, expeditionary, ground-based
fires capability that is responsive, complementary, redundant, and within the
range and lethality requirements of the targets the Marine Corps will face
across the full range of military operations.
The foundation of ground indirect fires is the M777A2 Lightweight
155mm howitzer that, through design innovation, navigation and positioning
aides, and digital fire control offers significant improvements in lethality, survivability,
mobility, and durability compared to the M198 howitzer. The High-
Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) fills a critical range and volume
gap in Marine Corps fire-support assets. HIMARS provides an extendedrange
precision capability to Marine forces. The third “leg” of Marine Corps
ground indirect fires is the Expeditionary Fire Support System (EFSS), a towed
120mm mortar. EFSS will be the principal indirect fire support system for helicopter-
and tiltrotor-borne forces executing ship-to-objective-maneuver as
part of a MAGTF. When paired with an Internally Transportable Vehicle, EFSS
can be transported on board MV-22 and CH-53E/K aircraft. EFSS-equipped
units will have immediately responsive, organic indirect fires at ranges beyond
current infantry battalion mortars.
Several additional innovative systems related to fire support significantly
enhance the warfighting efficiency and effectiveness of the MAGTF, including
the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System, and the Target Location,
Designation and Handoff system. In addition, the development of precision
guided munitions, such as Excalibur, Guided Multiple-Launch Rocket System
and the Precision Extended Range Munition, has shown lethality on the battlefield
while minimizing collateral damage.
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