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| Marines road march on Okinawa |
ManTech Lands Nearly $1B in Contracts as Marine Corps Modernizes Force, Shifts Pacific PresenceManTech has secured two major contracts totaling $984 million to help the U.S. Marine Corps modernize its warfare capabilities and information systems, as the service undergoes its largest Pacific reorganization in decades through troop relocations from Okinawa to Guam and other locations.
The five-year contracts include a $715 million award to support the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory's research and development efforts focused on littoral warfare capabilities, and a $269 million contract to upgrade tactical systems and improve integration across agencies.
"Together we will develop and deliver sophisticated solutions that modernize every platform essential to success in littoral warfare and address the pacing threat of hostile forces in any ocean," said David Hathaway, president of ManTech's defense sector.
The larger contract will support Force Design 2030, the Marine Corps' initiative to transform its force structure, weapons systems, training, and equipment. This modernization push comes as the service relocates approximately 9,000 Marines from Okinawa to locations including Guam, Hawaii, and Australia - a strategic redistribution aimed at creating a more dispersed and agile force in the Indo-Pacific region.
Under the $269 million integration contract, ManTech will employ rapid prototyping to enhance the Marines' tactical network capabilities. This work supports the Deputy Commandant for Information's goal of making the Marine Corps the premier choice for joint terminal attack control within the joint force.
"While our current system has served us well, we recognize that the rapidly changing character of modern warfare requires us to keep adapting and innovating," said Col. Allan Chiu, deputy director of the War Room Division.
The contracts reflect the Marine Corps' broader transformation as it adapts both its force posture and capabilities for future conflicts. The combination of troop redistribution and technological modernization aims to create a more flexible and capable force while reducing the concentrated U.S. military presence that has long been a source of tension in Okinawa.
Major Points
1. Major Contract Awards:
- - ManTech received two Marine Corps contracts totaling $984 million
- - $715 million for littoral warfare R&D with Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory
- - $269 million for tactical systems integration and information warfare
- - Separate $1.4 billion cyber task order for intelligence community work (ICON framework)
2. Marine Corps Force Modernization:
- - Supporting Force Design 2030 initiative
- - Focus on littoral (coastal) warfare capabilities
- - Upgrading tactical networks and systems
- - Goal to become premier provider of joint terminal attack controllers
- - Emphasis on information warfare and integration across agencies
3. Okinawa Force Redistribution:
- - Relocating 9,000 Marines from Okinawa
- - First phase begun with 100 Marines to Guam
- - Future relocations planned to Guam, Hawaii, and Australia
- - Response to local tensions and strategic considerations
- - Aims to create more dispersed force presence in Indo-Pacific
4. Strategic Context:
- - Located near Taiwan, a potential flashpoint
- - Addressing tensions between military presence and local communities
- - Balancing strategic needs with local concerns
- - Part of broader military adaptation to modern warfare
- - Focus on integration with intelligence community and joint forces
5. Contract Implementation:
- - Five-year duration for major contracts
- - Includes rapid prototyping processes
- - Focus on research, development, testing, and assessment
- - Will use systems engineering and model-based approaches
- - Aims to enhance cyber capabilities and force readiness
Marines will spend nearly $1B to develop littoral warfighting, upgrade tactical systems
A radio operator with the 23rd Marine Regiment prepares for joint terminal attack controller school on Fort Pickett, Virginia, in 2022. A $269 million Marine Corps IT contract is part of the service's effort to offer the joint force's best JTACs. U.S. Marine Corps / Cpl. James Stanfield
The Marine Corps is pouring $269 million into a secretive project to upgrade the service’s tactical systems to better integrate across agencies, and another $715 million to design and test its new littoral warfighting systems.
The two five-year research and development contracts, totalling roughly $1 billion, went to technology solutions company ManTech, according to a Dec. 3 release from the contractor.
The integration contract, led by the deputy commandant for information’s office, will see ManTech use its rapid prototyping process to upgrade the Marines’ tactical network, then bring the products through evaluation, demonstration, and field testing, the release said.
A Marine official declined to say just how the work will improve the Corps’ tactical network, but said it is part of a larger Headquarters Marine Corps effort to make the service the premier battlefield choice for joint terminal attack control—that is, directing air strikes and other aerial support.
“The Deputy Commandant for Information’s War Room Division is excited for the opportunity this contract brings for our ability to develop technology that will enable the Marine Corps to integrate with the Intelligence Community, the Joint Force, and deliver a decisive advantage in any region,” Col. Allan Chiu, the War Room’s deputy director, told Defense One in a statement.
The Marine Corps’ current tactical network is fine for what it is, Chiu said.
“While our current system has served us well, we recognize that the rapidly changing character of modern warfare requires us to keep adapting and innovating,” he said.
A second contract will help the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory to develop and test concepts for fighting in shallow, coastal waters, as part of its Force Design 2030 project.
A second Marine Corps spokesperson said ManTech’s contributions will depend on initial discoveries under the contract.
“While specific details regarding ManTech's contributions to this project remain limited due to the sensitive nature of the work, the company’s expertise in systems engineering and innovative solutions will support the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory’s mission to shape future capabilities,” spokeswoman Emily Carroll told Defense One on Wednesday.
In ManTech’s release, David Hathaway, president of the company’s defense sector, said, “Together we will develop and deliver sophisticated solutions that modernize every platform essential to success in littoral warfare and address the pacing threat of hostile forces in any ocean.”
The company holds several other military contracts, including pieces of a $37.4 billion command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance project with the Army and a $28 billion project with the Defense Department’s Information Analysis Centers for
Shifting Sands: The U.S. Marine Relocation from Okinawa and Its Implications
The United States is on the move. The relocation of Marines from Okinawa marks a significant shift in military strategy and local sentiment. For decades, the presence of U.S. troops on this small Japanese island has been a source of tension. Now, as the U.S. begins to pull back, the implications ripple across the Pacific.
Okinawa is a mere speck on the map, yet it carries the weight of history. Hosting over half of the 50,000 U.S. troops in Japan, it has become a focal point for local grievances. Residents have long voiced concerns about noise, pollution, and safety. The 1995 gang rape of a 12-year-old girl by U.S. soldiers ignited a firestorm of anger. It was a turning point, prompting calls for a reevaluation of the U.S.-Japan security pact.
Now, the U.S. is relocating 9,000 Marines. The first phase has begun with a small detachment of about 100 Marines sent to Guam. This is just the tip of the iceberg. The remaining troops will find new homes in Guam, Hawaii, or Australia. This move is not just about easing local tensions; it’s a strategic recalibration in a region fraught with geopolitical complexities.
Okinawa is strategically located east of Taiwan, a flashpoint in U.S.-China relations. As tensions rise over Taiwan, the U.S. must balance its military presence with local sentiments. The relocation of Marines is a delicate dance, one that aims to maintain a strong defense posture while addressing local grievances.
The Marines are not just packing their bags. They are part of a larger narrative. The U.S. military is evolving, adapting to the changing landscape of warfare. The Marine Corps is investing heavily in modernizing its tactical systems. Recently, ManTech secured contracts worth nearly $1 billion to upgrade these systems. This investment reflects a commitment to innovation and integration across military branches.
The integration contract aims to enhance the Marines’ tactical network. It’s about creating a seamless flow of information, a lifeline in the chaos of battle. The goal is to make the Marine Corps the go-to choice for joint terminal attack control. This is no small feat. It requires cutting-edge technology and a willingness to adapt.
The second contract focuses on littoral warfare. As conflicts increasingly shift to coastal areas, the need for specialized capabilities grows. The Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory is at the forefront of this initiative. It’s a race against time, as hostile forces lurk in every ocean.
The relocation of Marines and the modernization of tactical systems are intertwined. Both are responses to a rapidly changing world. The U.S. must remain agile, ready to pivot at a moment’s notice. The stakes are high, and the consequences of inaction could be dire.
As the U.S. pulls back from Okinawa, it also sends a message to its allies. The commitment to regional security remains steadfast. The relocation is not a retreat; it’s a strategic repositioning. The U.S. is still in the game, but it’s playing a different hand.
Local sentiments in Okinawa are mixed. Some welcome the reduction of troops, viewing it as a victory for community activism. Others fear the loss of economic benefits that come with a military presence. The balance between local needs and national security is a tightrope walk.
The U.S. must navigate these waters carefully. The history of U.S.-Japan relations is complex, filled with both cooperation and conflict. The relocation of Marines is a chapter in this ongoing story. It’s a chance to rewrite the narrative, to foster goodwill while maintaining a strong defense posture.
In the broader context, the U.S. military's modernization efforts signal a shift in focus. The integration of technology and the emphasis on joint operations reflect the realities of modern warfare. The battlefield is no longer confined to traditional fronts. It’s a multi-dimensional space where information is power.
As the U.S. moves forward, it must remain vigilant. The geopolitical landscape is ever-changing. China’s ambitions in the region pose a significant challenge. The U.S. must be prepared to respond, to defend its interests and those of its allies.
In conclusion, the relocation of Marines from Okinawa is more than a logistical maneuver. It’s a reflection of changing dynamics in the Pacific. The U.S. is adapting, evolving, and positioning itself for the future. The sands of time are shifting, and the U.S. must navigate this landscape with care. The stakes are high, and the world is watching.
ManTech International has captured a $1.4 billion task order for full-spectrum cyber solutions for agencies in the intelligence community, Defense Department and other parts of government.
The five-year order is for a range of advanced cyber solutions to support requirements of the Interagency Intelligence and Cyber Operations Network. ICON is a framework for sharing intelligence and cyber operations among various intelligence, DOD and other agencies.
“In a world where cyber threats evolve at an exponential pace, our goal is to ensure that our customers have ‘capability overmatch’ in any cyber battlespace scenario,” Barbara Haines-Parmele, president of ManTech’s intelligence sector, said in a release. “This task order provides an incredible opportunity to enhance, train and equip the force, contributing to force readiness and enabling effective operations.”
As part of the contract, ManTech will develop and deploy cyber solutions to enhance unit of effort and other cyber capabilities that can support ICON’s mission.
Separate to that, ManTech announced a $715 million contract award with the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab for research-and-development support focused on force design.
Force
design is a Marine Corps effort to transform its force structure,
weapons systems, equipment and training. That work will also take place
over a five-year period.
ManTech Books $984M in Marine Corps R&D Support Task Orders - GovCon Wire
ManTech has received two U.S. Marine Corps task orders worth $984 million combined to provide research and development support for the service branch’s warfighting laboratory and information warfare programs.
The company said Tuesday it secured the task orders under the Department of Defense Information Analysis Center Multiple Award Contract.
One of the two task orders is valued at approximately $715 million. The other award with USMC is worth $269 million.
USMC Warfighting Lab Task Order
A potential five-year, $715 million recompete contract with the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory includes research, development, testing and assessment of technology platforms that are key to Force Design, an initiative that seeks to transform the service branch’s force structure, weapons systems, training and equipment.
“ManTech is proud to be chosen for a pivotal role in a program that will drive the U.S. Marine Corps of the future,” said David Hathaway, president of ManTech’s defense sector. “Together we will develop and deliver sophisticated solutions that modernize every platform essential to success in littoral warfare and address the pacing threat of hostile forces in any ocean.”
Information Warfare Support Task Order
Under a five-year, $269 million task order, ManTech will help USMC’s Deputy Commandant for Information, or DC I, conduct research and develop information-related capabilities in support of its information warfare programs.
The company will advance the use of intelligence systems engineering and model-based systems engineering to improve the development of technical and operational platforms, perform training, conduct commercial product assessments and implement concept demonstrations and field user evaluation.
Hathaway said the company is honored to be selected by the DC I Information War Room Division to advance mission of supporting Marines in the information environment.
“Information superiority is paramount in the current information environment (IE) to gain decision advantages that improve precision in combat,” the defense sector lead noted.
What Is the DOD IAC Program?
Established in the 1940s, DOD IAC is a program under the Defense Technical Information Center and is focused on providing technical data management and research support for DOD and federal government users.
The program supports the department’s science and technology and acquisition communities to drive technological advancements and innovation by improving collaboration through scientific and technical information development and dissemination.
Register now for the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Defense R&D Summit on Jan. 23, and hear from leading defense researchers, experts and decision-makers about the cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of the U.S. military.
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