// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM
Force Design 2030
Force Design 2030 is the U.S. Marine Corps' comprehensive plan to modernize its forces for potential conflict with major powers like China. It focuses on creating smaller, more agile units for sea-based operations by divesting heavy legacy equipment like tanks in favor of long-range precision weapons and unmanned systems.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Force Design 2030 is a U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) modernization strategy to restructure the force for naval expeditionary warfare against peer adversaries in the Indo-Pacific theater. The plan divests legacy platforms like tanks to fund investments in long-range precision fires, unmanned systems, and reconnaissance capabilities supporting distributed concepts like Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) and Stand-in Forces (SIF).
BACKGROUND
Force Design 2030, also known as FD2030, is an ongoing force restructuring plan by the United States Marine Corps to reshape its combat power for future near-peer adversary conflicts that was introduced in March 2020 by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General David H. Berger. In October 2023 the program was renamed Force Design, removing the "2030."
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- FD2030
- USMC Force Redesign
- Marine Corps Modernization
- The Berger Plan
- USMC Restructuring
- Force 2030
USAGE NOTE
This initiative is frequently debated regarding its divestment of traditional assets like tanks and its strategic focus on a potential conflict in the Pacific.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Force Design 2030.
In partnership with Kongsberg, Raytheon is integrating the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) into the Navy/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS). This system provides ground-based anti-ship capabilities, a cornerstone of Force Design 2030's sea-denial strategy.
Developer of the Remotely Operated Ground Unit for Expeditionary Fires (ROGUE-Fires), an unmanned vehicle based on the JLTV platform. ROGUE-Fires serves as the mobile launcher for the NMESIS, enabling long-range anti-ship fires from expeditionary advanced bases.
Manufacturer of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and loitering munitions like the Switchblade. These systems provide small, disaggregated Marine units with organic intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and precision strike capabilities.
Selected to develop the Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV), a next-generation platform designed to serve as a mobile command and control hub. The ARV will be equipped with advanced sensors and will control unmanned systems to support Marine reconnaissance units.
The prime contractor for the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV), which is replacing the legacy Assault Amphibious Vehicle. The ACV family of vehicles provides enhanced mobility, survivability, and C4ISR capabilities for littoral operations.
Develops and supplies advanced tactical communications systems, networking solutions, and resilient data links. This technology is critical for connecting dispersed Marine units operating under the Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) concept.
Produces man-portable Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) and advanced electro-optical/infrared sensors. Their technology enhances the reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance capabilities of Marine infantry units, a key focus of Force Design 2030.
The original designer of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), the primary effector for the Marine Corps' ground-based anti-ship batteries. They partner with Raytheon to deliver the missile for the NMESIS program.