Engineers at the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic have developed a critical air defense system to make the US Marine Corps more dominant on the battlefield.
The Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) Increment 1.0 provides low-altitude air defense battalion gunners with improved capabilities to detect, identify, and neutralize airborne threats.
The MADIS utilizes wireless command and control, 360-degree radar, turret-launched Stinger missiles, heavy guns, and multi-functional electronic warfare to counter enemy air assets, including unmanned aerial vehicles.
According to the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, the platform was developed within nine months, beginning in May last year. Engineers designed and built models to make system components and layouts compatible with the Marine Joint Light Tactical Vehicle.
Models of the MADIS Increment 1.0 will undergo integrated testing and evaluation later this year before the US Marine Corps makes a final decision regarding procurement and fielding.
Provides an ‘Indispensable Advantage’
Capabilities Development Directorate Maj. Gen. Eric Austin expressed his appreciation for the NIWC Atlantic engineers who collaborated to develop the crucial system in such a short timeframe.
“This organization has an amazing pedigree, with an incredible ecosystem of innovation, and it’s really apparent you guys are held in high regard,” Austin said during an event held earlier this month.
For NIWC Atlantic’s Land Systems Integration (LSI) officer Ryan Price, the high-powered tactical and electronic technologies integrated into the MADIS provide an “indispensable advantage” to soldiers conducting fire and maneuver missions.
LSI Counter Threat Platforms Support lead Tim Hughes explained that the team behind the system’s development knew that they needed to move out quickly in developing an “exceptional product” and implementing unique efficiencies.
“I’m really proud of what they accomplished in such a short amount of time,” he stressed. “They pulled from multiple resources across the division and outside the department to essentially build a team from scratch.”