Why the U.S. Marine Corps Cancelled Its Ground-Launched Tomahawk Missile Program

Long Range Fires (LRF). USMC

The U.S. Marine Corps has officially terminated its Long Range Fires (LRF) program, which aimed to deploy ground-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles via remotely operated vehicles. This decision, outlined in the Marine Corps’ portion of the Department of the Navy’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request, marks a significant shift in the service’s approach to expeditionary strike capabilities.

The LRF system was designed to operate in austere, expeditionary, and littoral environments—conditions central to the Marine Corps’ evolving operational doctrine. However, after field testing and operational assessments, the Corps concluded that the system could not be effectively employed in such settings. The primary platform for LRF was the Remotely Operated Ground Unit for Expeditionary Fires (ROGUE-Fires), an uncrewed variant of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). Each LRF launcher could carry a single Tomahawk missile, which presented logistical challenges, particularly in terms of reloading and sustained operations in remote environments.

The cancellation of the LRF program does not signal a complete abandonment of ground-based missile capabilities. The Marine Corps continues to field the Navy and Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), which also utilizes ROGUE-Fires-based launchers but is equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSMs). These missiles, while having a shorter range than Tomahawks, are considered more suitable for the Corps’ expeditionary needs. NMESIS launchers can carry two NSMs and have demonstrated operational flexibility, including rapid deployment to strategic locations such as the Luzon Strait during recent exercises.

The Tomahawk missile, with a range of approximately 1,000 miles, offered a significant extension of strike capability compared to the NSM’s roughly 126-mile range. Despite this advantage, the practical limitations of deploying and sustaining the LRF system in the field outweighed its benefits. The Marine Corps has not indicated plans to pursue an alternative ground-based system with similar range to the Tomahawk. Instead, it is focusing on integrating the Army’s Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) into its existing High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers. While PrSM currently has a demonstrated range of around 310 miles, future variants may extend this capability to over 620 miles.

The implications of the LRF program’s termination extend beyond the Marine Corps. The U.S. Army had shown interest in the single-cell JLTV-based launcher as a complement to its larger Typhon system, which employs tractor-trailer launchers capable of firing Tomahawks and SM-6 missiles. Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor for both LRF and Typhon, has acknowledged discussions about making Typhon more mobile and adaptable. The Army’s experiences with Typhon in the Philippines have highlighted the need for increased agility and sustainability in forward-deployed systems.

Despite the Marine Corps’ withdrawal from the LRF initiative, the Army continues to advance its Typhon program. The Fiscal Year 2026 budget includes plans to procure a limited number of missiles—seven Tomahawks and six SM-6s—for Typhon. Notably, the Army is shifting toward acquiring only the anti-ship optimized Maritime Strike Tomahawk (MST) variant, which retains land-attack capabilities. This move suggests a strategic emphasis on maritime interdiction in contested regions.

The broader context of these developments reflects a recalibration of U.S. military strategy in the Indo-Pacific. The Marine Corps’ decision underscores the challenges of balancing long-range firepower with operational mobility and logistical feasibility. While the Tomahawk remains a potent tool for strategic strikes, its integration into expeditionary platforms has proven complex. The continued evolution of systems like NMESIS and PrSM indicates a preference for more versatile and sustainable solutions.

In summary, the cancellation of the LRF program represents a pragmatic reassessment of expeditionary strike capabilities. It highlights the Marine Corps’ commitment to aligning its weapons systems with the realities of modern warfare, particularly in the Pacific theater. As the Army and other services explore alternative platforms and configurations, the future of ground-launched cruise missiles will likely hinge on adaptability, integration, and operational efficiency.