US Marine Corps Shifts from Hellfire Missiles to Long-Range Munitions for Enhanced Pacific Operations

In an ever-evolving global landscape where tensions intensify, and the specter of an increasingly assertive and expansionist power looms over the Pacific region, our officials recognize the imperative of bolstering our strength and capabilities.

Unlike the unforgiving deserts where previous conflicts unfolded, the vast expanse of the Pacific demands a paradigm shift in our military arsenal, specifically in the realm of munitions capable of traversing immense distances.

Responding to this strategic imperative, the US Marine Corps embarks on a momentous undertaking—a departure from the tried and tested air-to-ground Hellfire missiles that have served us faithfully for nearly five decades and a resolute embrace of long-range loitering munitions. It is an audacious move that ushers in a new era of precision engagement, empowering our forces with enhanced reach, endurance, and potent capabilities, as well as enabling Marines to confront and overcome emerging threats effectively.

As the drumbeat of change reverberates across the military landscape, let us delve deeper into the Corps’ decision to kickstart the research and development of the Long-Range Attack Munition (LRAM) project, an innovation poised to redefine the boundaries of modern warfare in the Indo-Pacific theater.

Switching to Long-Range

In a proactive stride towards modernization, the US Marine Corps recently announced its plan to replace a portion of its air-launched Hellfire missiles with LRAM loitering munitions. This remarkable advancement in guided missile technology endows our Marines with extended operational range and heightened maneuverability.

The adoption of LRAM not only enhances our combat capabilities but also translates into substantial cost savings, bolstering efficiency and fiscal prudence that significantly strengthen our ability to conduct Indo-Pacific operations.

Moreover, this announcement serves as a testament to the Corps’ unwavering commitment to its ongoing Force Design (FD) 2030 modernization initiative, reinforcing our preparedness for future challenges and opportunities.

Like the rest of the armed forces, the Marine Corps diligently invests in next-generation capabilities, aiming to expedite “the evolution of combined arms and multi-domain formations,” as the Corps wrote in the vision outline June update.

Through the LRAM project, the service seeks to empower its forces with multiple capabilities to engage targets, including strike, threat detection and tracking, and electronic warfare jamming, depending upon the configuration.

“We can do this by fusing operations, intelligence, and fire functions together in a single center, creating the means for Marine units to participate in and control joint fires while also gaining and maintaining persistent custody of adversary targets,” it added.

The document did not mention any expected technical specifications, except for the fact that the replacement for Hellfire missiles will possess an extended range and will be cost-effective, thereby enabling logistical support in a contested environment.

More Firepower in the Pacific Region

Since its inception in the early 1970s, the AGM-114 Hellfire tactical missile has solidified its position as an integral component of the American forces and those of our allies. It is an air-launched powerhouse that has primarily served in land-attack missions, boasting an impressive range of up to 11 kilometers (6.8 miles).

Originally conceived to meet the growing demand of the US Army for a helicopter-launched anti-tank missile, the Hellfire underwent nearly a decade of development before finally entering service in 1986. Fun fact: the missile’s original designation, HELFIRE, stemmed from the acronym “HELiborne, Laser, FIRE and forget missile.”

Throughout the Global War on Terror, the Hellfire has demonstrated widespread employment and resounding success. It has proven its mettle by neutralizing enemy bunkers, disrupting radars and communications equipment, dismantling critical infrastructures, engaging fast-attack craft, and even countering hostile helicopters. However, despite notable improvements over the years, its range remains constrained, limiting its effectiveness for long-range missions, particularly in expansive theaters like the Pacific.

Another thing that prompts the Marine Corps to reconsider the replacement of the Hellfire missiles with the LRAM is its plans to retain its recently acquired fleet of AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom attack helicopters. In an interview last week, the Director of the Capabilities Development Directorate, Brig. Gen. Stephan Lightfoot told reports that the service wants to keep these aircraft suitable for future warfare, wherein the range of the aging missile might not be sufficient anymore.

Coming Soon

The ongoing Long-Range Attack Munition missile project by the Corps is expected to mirror the capabilities of the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), a collaborative endeavor between the US Navy and the Air Force. Preliminary estimations indicate that the Marine missile will possess an impressive range of up to 560 km (348 miles).

“That [LRAM] is a capability that brings hundreds of kilometers, and that allows us to be able to use a current platform to be able to do things that we never thought we’d be able to do,” Lightfoot added, cited from Defense News.

In addition to the AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom attack helicopters, the upcoming LRAM will leverage versatile platforms, including the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter, as well as cargo and transport aircraft such as the MV-22 Osprey, CH-53K King Stallion, and C-130 Hercules, serving as its launch platforms.

With an unwavering focus on modernization, the Corps is redoubling its efforts, as highlighted by Lightfoot. The service has already initiated experimentation with these munitions and anticipates their deployment within the next few years.

—

Add “Pacific” by Simon Winchester to your reading list today and discover why the vast region is considered an ascendant, a theater that would define tomorrow and the beyond. Get your copy here!