A new surface-to-air defense system will give the United States Marine Corps an unprecedented ability to counter drones and other aerial threats, enhancing forces’ survivability and lethality in amphibious and littoral operations, leaders say.
Members of the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment fielded the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) during live-fire training at Hawaii’s Pohakuloa Training Area in late January 2025 — the first time the weapon system has been fired on a Hawaiian island.
The system is mounted on light tactical vehicles and equipped with radar, command and control functions, weapons including missiles, chain and machine guns, and air-to-air launchers to detect, identify, track and engage targets.
The MADIS “provides remarkable tactical flexibility given the system’s reach, range and mobility,” Col. John G. Lehane, the regiment’s commanding officer, said in a news release. “We are really excited to have this capability added to our already robust ability to coordinate air and missile defense actions, as it adds an organic layer to defeat a would-be adversary’s ability to attack our formations.”
Uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) are a growing threat to forces worldwide, particularly given the commercial availability of low-cost drones that can be adapted for offensive operations. During the live-fire training in Hawaii, the MADIS fired Stinger missiles and 30 mm cannon to destroy fixed- and rotary-wing drones flying programmed courses.
“The importance of countering UAS threats cannot be overstated,” U.S. Marine Corps Col. Andrew Konicki, program manager for Ground Based Air Defense, said after earlier testing. “MADIS can complete the entire kill chain. It is a linchpin for mission success and our ability to neutralize airborne threats … which, in turn, increases our lethality.”
The 3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion will field 13 of the systems and the MADIS will be deployed to the Philippines in the coming months for joint exercises, according to the Stars and Stripes newspaper.
“This is Marine-led, Marine-executed, and it’s really building confidence in the weapon system,” Lt. Col. Matthew Sladek, the battalion’s commander, said during the live-fire at Pohakuloa. “This is really the culmination of 10-plus years of development.”
