Overview
- In late June 2026 the Okinawa‑based 12th Marine Littoral Regiment formally received NMESIS and MADIS and Marines used the Medium‑Range Intercept Capability on Guam, extending Force Design deployments across the first island chain.
- NMESIS is a ground‑based anti‑ship package that mounts Naval Strike Missiles on JLTV‑based launchers and the MLR plans to operate up to 18 unmanned launch vehicles organized into six sections of three launchers.
- MADIS is a paired JLTV‑mounted short‑range air defense system where one vehicle detects threats and the other engages them with Stingers, a 30mm cannon and machine guns to counter low‑flying aircraft and drones.
- Marines have rehearsed moving these systems through allied exercises in the Philippines and Japan and used contracted commercial ferries, roll‑on/roll‑off vessels and Army lift to move equipment because dedicated McClung‑class landing ships are not due until about 2029.
- The fielding and exercises aim to strengthen forward deterrence and allied integration in the Western Pacific while the Corps and industry prepare three MRIC batteries by 2028 under a Raytheon contract.