The U.S. Marine Corps is upgrading its AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) to improve its ability to counter enemy drones, according to the newly released 2025 Marine Aviation Plan.
The JAGM, developed by Lockheed Martin, was first deployed on the AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter in March 2022, providing the platform with fire-and-forget capabilities. Now, the Marine Corps aims to enhance the missile’s air-to-air performance to better engage UAS.
“This missile will receive incremental upgrades, including funded efforts to add counter-UAS software and integration of a new electromagnetic control actuator section (EMCAS),” the document states. “The counter-UAS software upgrade improves air-to-air guidance and laser pulse logic to increase engagement capability against a wide variety of adversary unmanned systems.”
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Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System
The Marine Corps’ aviation modernization efforts reflect the growing recognition of drones as a persistent and evolving threat on the battlefield. Alongside the JAGM upgrade, the service is enhancing its Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) with a new proximity fuse to improve effectiveness against UAS.
The program has transitioned to the Single Variant Block Upgrade, allowing a common guidance unit across platforms and expanding its operational flexibility. Additional demonstrations with the Army and Air Force are underway to explore integrating passive infrared seekers and other guidance enhancements.
Other ongoing efforts include the Marine Corps’ involvement in the Army’s Next Generation Short Range Interceptor program, which is set to replace the aging Stinger missile by fiscal year 2029.
Expanding ground-based air defense
Ground-based air defense remains a priority, with investments in mobile counter-drone capabilities such as the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) and its lighter counterpart, the Light–Marine Air Defense Integrated System (L-MADIS). Both systems are designed to provide maneuver forces and key assets with protection against drones and other low-altitude threats.
The Marine Corps is also expanding its sensor network, acquiring the TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) to enhance detection and tracking of aerial threats. Full operational capability for the system is expected by fiscal year 2028.
Additionally, a new fusion center at Marine Corps Base Quantico has been established to accelerate the development and fielding of counter-UAS technologies.
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A push for lighter, more mobile defenses
Beyond upgrading missiles and radar systems, the Marine Corps is also exploring lightweight drone interceptors to protect dismounted forces. In December, Major Jason Dempsey, Counter-UAS and Ground-Based Air Defense Capabilities Integration Officer, highlighted the need for portable solutions that can protect Marines even when dedicated air defense is not available.
“I need Marines that have the ability to not necessarily conduct air defense, but conduct self-defense against the aerial threat,” Dempsey explained. I need a short-range interceptor that I can launch like a football, for lack of better terms, and go intercept that threat. The system needs to be lightweight, easy to use, easy to train and MOS agnostic.”
With these efforts, the Marine Corps aims to build a layered defense against aerial threats, integrating kinetic and electronic warfare capabilities to address the increasing use of drones in modern conflicts.
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Post Image – U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z attack helicopter pilots fire an AGM-179 joint air-to-ground munition during an expeditionary strike (Post Image Credit: U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher Lape)
