TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif -- TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — In September, the Marine Corps unveiled the first full-rate production version of the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS), marking a major milestone in expeditionary air defense and rapid capability delivery. Following weeks of intensive New Equipment Training (NET) and a live-fire exercise at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Marines are now equipped with a significantly upgraded system designed to counter the evolving threat of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and low-altitude air attacks.
The MADIS relies on a complementary pair of Joint Light Tactical Vehicles that form a maneuverable Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD) weapon system. It is designed to defeat UAS and manned aircraft while on the move or at the halt, providing an organic, expeditionary, and fully integrated Short-Range Air Defense capability. This fielding represents a deliberate and accelerated approach to capability delivery—one that prioritizes readiness, responsiveness and relevance to the modern battlefield.
The MADIS has undergone substantial upgrades since its prototype phase. The full-rate production variant integrates advanced sensors, improved targeting algorithms, and enhanced mobility features that allow Marines to detect, track, and neutralize aerial threats faster and more effectively than ever before.
The system’s modular design allows for future upgrades, ensuring MADIS remains adaptable as the threat evolves. Its integration with expeditionary platforms means it can be deployed rapidly, providing organic air defense to maneuver units without relying on external support.
"Having supported the GBAD community for the last 22 years, from the schoolhouse to the program office, it's clear that MADIS brings a critical new capability to the warfighter," said Master Sgt. Brandon Meadors. "Marines have always said, 'Anytime, anyplace,' and this system helps us get there. It provides a state-of-the-art, mobile defense that directly supports our forces in the field."
During their time at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Marines participated in classroom instruction and field exercises designed to familiarize themselves with the MADIS’s architecture, capabilities, and tactical employment. The NET phase emphasized hands-on learning, with Marines engaging directly with the system's radar, electro-optical/infrared sensor, and weapon platforms.
The training culminated in a full-day, live-fire event, where Marines executed simulated engagements against aerial targets. The exercise validated the system's performance and demonstrated the readiness of its operators.
"I would tell other Marines training on this system to be open and be creative," said 1st Lt. Michael Rushane. "This is the future of the Marine Corps and the future of GBAD as a whole. The ideas you come up with for how to employ this system, whether you're a PFC or a General, will pay dividends in the success of this system moving forward,” Rushane added.
With the successful completion of the NET and live-fire validation, the Marine Corps has taken a critical step in modernizing its air defense capabilities. This training represents a deliberate and accelerated approach to capability delivery—one that prioritizes readiness, responsiveness, and relevance.