Compass Points - NMESIS Nonsense
Dubious new NMESIS advertisement
Compass Points - NMESIS Nonsense
Dubious new NMESIS advertisement
June 8, 2026
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Naval News has just issued another repetitive advertisement for the Marine Corps NMESIS system. Instead of actually investigating the NMESIS, the report merely parrots once again official Marine Corps talking points. That is sad because there is much good that could be written -- not about the NMESIS, but about Marines.
The US Marines of the Hawaii based 3d Marine Littoral Regiment (3d MLR) took part in the recently concluded exercise Balikatan 2026, in the Philippines. Like all Marines, the Marines of 3d MLR are tough, rugged, and ready. Day after day the 3d MLR Marines work hard with the equipment they have been given.
Now, Naval News has written a glowing review of 3d MLR’s participation in Balikatan 2026. Instead, of focusing on the heart and hard work of the Marines of 3d MLR, however, Naval News has merely reissued the same press release review of 3d MLR’s equipment. Why?
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A NMESIS section features three vehicles based on the Oshkosh JLTV 4×4 chassis: the Remotely Operated Ground Unit for Expeditionary Fires (ROGUE-Fires) that carries and fires two Kongsberg Naval Strike Missiles (NSM), a leader vehicle and a command vehicle. Each ROGUE-Fires comprises an unmanned JLTV integrated with Forterra’s AutoDrive offering a self-driving capability.
The 3d MLR was the first USMC unit to receive the NMESIS, which occurred in 2023. These six launchers are allocated to the 3d Medium-Range Missile Battery, but the aim is to eventually increase this to 18 as production continues.
During Balikatan 2026, the USA, Philippines and other partners performed key maritime security operations. This involved moving weapon systems like the HIMARS and NMESIS by USAF Hercules aircraft, or by US Army LCU-2000 landing craft, to remote islands in the Luzon Strait. Once emplaced there, they conducted simulated anti-ship missile launches, before being exfiltrated approximately 72 hours later.
-- Naval News
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Naval News never bothers to ask why the NMESIS was flown to Balikatan 2026 by Air Force C-130. The whole purpose is to exercise real world capabilities. Why not have Marine aviation fly in the NMESIS?
Why does the Marine Corps even need the complex three vehicle NMESIS? The US Army has been on-again and off-again about the JLTV. Now apparently the Army is off-again. Why does the Marine Corps want to get stuck with an orphan vehicle? Why does the Marine Corps even want to use the unnecessarily complex JLTV based NMESIS system? The leader - follower advanced feature has instead proven to be unreliable at best. In addition, the NMESIS Naval Strike Missile is subsonic and short range. Why bother when the Marine Corps is fielding better missiles in the air and on the ground?
Why do Marine Corps leaders continue to saddle the Marine Corps with the dubious NMESIS when it has the proven HIMARS that is rapidly being updated?
Naval News interviewed one Marine from 3d MLR who said,
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This is our fourth year participating in Balikatan, and as the regiment continues to evolve, this exercise is where we validate our tactics alongside our highly capable regional allies and partners. Last year, we successfully pushed NMESIS out to the Batanes for the first time. This year, we built upon that foundation by emplacing systems across three different islands at Balikatan exercise locations. It’s a phenomenal opportunity to strengthen our partnerships, get reps in employing systems like NMESIS, MADIS and our sensing systems, and really exercise our ability to execute distributed command and control.
-- Naval News
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That Marine is making the best of the equipment he has been given. Most likely that Marine is not allowed to mention that in four years of supposed rigorous testing of NMESIS capabilities in the Philippines, the NMESIS has never fired a missile. It has never actually hit a target ship in Philippine waters. It has never fired, packed up and moved to a different island, and then fired again. Never.
Furthermore, the NMESIS is paired with the Gator Radar. The AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) is the Marine Corps’ next-generation Air Surveillance/ Air Defense and Air Traffic Control (ATC) Radar. Although it is claimed to be very advanced, the radar is not small, it requires vehicles and equipment and is difficult to move. Worst of all, it is an active radar. As soon as it is turned on, it lights up like the Krispy Kreme hot doughnut light, attracting attention for miles around.
The 3d MLR’s sensor and missile units have little to protect them from attacks from hostile forces and are in great danger of being destroyed before they can even fire a missile.
If convoluted explanations could protect NMESIS, it would be safe always. One Marine spokesman for the 3d MLR told Naval News:
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3d MLR is unlike any traditional infantry regiment in the marine corps. The key difference lies in our focus and our toolkit. We’re fundamentally a tactical naval formation, purpose-built and capable of supporting modern maritime campaigns. Alongside a highly capable infantry component, we possess specialised littoral logistics planners, advanced air domain awareness, sensing capabilities and maritime fires. Additionally, our headquarters element is incredibly robust.
-- Naval News
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Thanks for all those words, Lieutenant.
Compass Points salutes the hard working Marines of 3d MLR. Unfortunately, despite the hard work of Marines, and the torrent of explanations from Marine leaders, and glowing news reports, the NMESIS is more of a show pony than a work horse, more of a side show than a main event. The good news is the HIMARS missiles are being upgraded and the missiles on Marine aircraft are also being upgraded. One day soon, the Marine Corps will move beyond the NMESIS. That day will be worth a glowing press release.
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Naval News - 7/6/2026
The Philippines meets its NMESIS in Balikatan exercise
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/06/the-philippines-meets-its-nmesis-in-balikatan-exercise/
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The issue here is crystal clear. A gross lack of integrity by omission and commission. This is not putting a positive spin on a situation. It is intentionally deceptive. The lack of integrity across the senior leadership of the Corps is a disgrace.
Toxic ambition spawns moral cowardice. Someday this will be a case study at the War Colleges.
The sad part about lies and deception is that you actually are insulting people when you believe they are dumb enough to believe the amateurish deception.
The admission that a firing section is now 3 vehicles for one launcher is sheer madness. 5 vehicles for 3 launchers was not great math, but not quite as wild.