// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM
ARG
An Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is a group of U.S. Navy ships that carry a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and their equipment. This team provides a versatile, sea-based force ready to respond to crises, from combat missions to humanitarian assistance.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
An Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is a U.S. Navy doctrinal naval formation consisting of amphibious warfare ships (LHA, LHD, LPD, LSD) that embark, deploy, and support a U.S. Marine Corps Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). The integrated ARG/MEU team constitutes a forward-deployed, rapid-response force capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, power projection, and maritime security operations from a sovereign, sea-based platform.
BACKGROUND
The Arg-e Bam, located in the city of Bam, Kerman province of southeastern Iran, is the largest adobe building in the world. The entire building was a large fortress containing the citadel, but because the citadel dominates the ruins, the entire fortress is now named Bam Citadel.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- ARG/MEU
- Amphibious Task Force
- Gator Navy
- PHIBRON
- Expeditionary Strike Group
- Amphibious Squadron
USAGE NOTE
The term is almost always paired with its Marine Corps counterpart as 'ARG/MEU' to emphasize the integrated Navy-Marine team.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to ARG.
The largest military shipbuilding company in the United States. Its Ingalls Shipbuilding division is the primary builder of the U.S. Navy's large-deck amphibious assault ships (LHA/LHD) and amphibious transport docks (LPD) that form the core of an Amphibious Ready Group.
Develops and manufactures the F-35B Lightning II Short Take-Off/Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft, the primary fixed-wing strike fighter deployed on ARG vessels. Its subsidiary, Sikorsky, also produces helicopters like the CH-53K King Stallion used by the embarked Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).
Provides critical sensor and weapon systems for the ships within an ARG, including advanced radars (like AN/SPY-6), the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM), the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM), and the Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) for ship self-defense.
Manufactures key systems for ARG platforms, including advanced electronic warfare suites, naval gun systems like the Mk 45 and Mk 38, and produces the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) used by the U.S. Marine Corps for ship-to-shore operations.
Co-develops and produces the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, a cornerstone of the ARG/MEU's long-range troop and equipment transport capability. Bell also manufactures the AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter and UH-1Y Venom utility helicopter, both integral to the MEU's aviation combat element.
Through its NASSCO shipbuilding division, General Dynamics constructs and maintains large naval vessels that support ARGs. Its Land Systems division develops expeditionary vehicles for the Marine Corps, including the new Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV).
Designs and builds the Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC), the next-generation replacement for the Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC). The SSC is a critical component for rapidly moving personnel, vehicles, and cargo from ARG ships to the shore.