JUST IN: Marine Corps Ramps Up Production of Remote Weapon Stations

Kongsberg photo

The Marine Corps is preparing for the transition to full-rate production of the Marine Air Defense Integrated System Remote Weapon Station, according to a July 10 press release from manufacturer Kongsberg. 

The Marine Air Defense Integrated System Remote Weapon Station, otherwise known as MADIS RWS, is a critical system in the Marine Corps Ground-Based Air Defense portfolio, which provides protection from drones with increased lethality against evolving threats. 

The service awarded Kongsberg a five-year, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity other transaction authority production contract for the stations in Sept. 2021. The contract has a ceiling set at $94 million, which includes a “series of low-rate initial production systems, full-rate production units, spares and training,” the press release said.

“The Marine Corps is leaning forward with orders for long-lead items to prioritize the timely production of these systems in support of Force Design 2030,” William Dixon, MADIS project manager for Kongsberg Protech Systems USA, said in the release. “As we enter full-rate production for these remote weapon stations, we’re also discussing additional technology we can incorporate into the system to improve and expand their capabilities for the Marines.”

MADIS RWS features a XM914E1 30mmx113mm percussion-primed cannon with a co-axial M240C 7.62mm machine gun, an integration kit for the STINGER Air-To-Air Launcher and provisions for future counter-unmanned aircraft defeat systems, the release said.

The Marine Corps sees MADIS as an upgrade for its two active Low Altitude Air Defense battalions, the release said. MADIS RWS is “the first 30mm remote weapon system to be qualified on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle platform” and can be mounted on JLTVs, designated as Mk1 and Mk2, that are designed to fight as a complementary pair.

“The MADIS Mk1 features Stinger missiles and neutralizes fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. Mk2 fulfills the counter-unmanned aircraft system mission requirement, while also providing radar and command-and-control for the pair,” the release stated.

Kongsberg manufactures and manages MADIS RWS at its facility in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the release said. 

The Johnstown facility “consistently yields remote weapon station manufacturing excellence, having produced more than 20,000 systems over the last 15 years,” said Eskild Aas, the company's director of US PROTECTOR programs. “Delivering the [low-rate initial production] systems and moving into full-rate production of the MADIS RWS exemplifies our rigorous processes and is an important milestone for the program office and our team.”

Topics: Marine Corps News