Kongsberg has moved the US Marine Corps’ (USMC) Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) remote weapon system (RWS) production from Norway to Kongsberg Protech Systems USA in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
The company has also completed assembling and testing of the inaugural system.
Last year, the USMC awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) other transaction authority (OTA) production contract to Kongsberg, with a ceiling value of $94m.
The scope of the contract includes a set of low-rate initial production (LRIP) systems, full-rate production (FRP) units, spares and training.
This IDIQ contract followed a Sept 2020 award for test articles and activities, including design verification testing (DVT).
Kongsberg Protech Systems MADIS RWS project manager Jason Toepfer said: “The successful build of this inaugural system exemplifies our rigorous processes, joining the five prototype and test assets we’ve produced for the Marine Corps in Norway.
“This also kicks off MADIS RWS production here in the US, a move that allows us to better support this customer and deliver this critical lethality enhancement.”
Under the MADIS programme, Kongsberg will deliver its RS6 RWS, which includes XM914E1 30mmx113mm percussion-primed cannon along with a co-axial M240C (7.62mm) machine gun and an integration kit for the STINGER Air-To-Air Launcher (ATAL).
It also includes provisions for future counter-uncrewed aircraft systems (C-UAS) defeat systems.
The MADIS programme is part of the USMC’s plan to upgrade its two active low altitude air defence (LAAD) battalions.
Kongsberg’s RS6 is the first 30mm RWS to be integrated with the joint light tactical vehicle platform (JLTV). It will be mounted on JLTV and will operate as a pair being designated as Mk1 and Mk2.
The MADIS Mk1 will include STINGER missiles to defeat fixed and rotary-wing aircraft while Mk2 will support C-UAS mission needs and offer radar and command-and-control for the pair.
