The U.S. Marine Corps has purchased 10 Tempest systems, which are already in operation in Ukraine
The U.S. Marine Corps has approved the purchase of ten Tempest mobile anti-drone systems. These systems are already being used by the Ukrainian military to counter Russian drones.
The contract covers the supply of the vehicles themselves, software, spare parts, equipment, and training for military personnel. The purchase is valued at approximately $19 million and is scheduled to be completed by August 2027.
According to the document, Vertex Modernization and Sustainment was awarded a $19 million contract to supply ten combat vehicles.
The agreement also includes software, spare parts, personnel training, and other technical support services necessary for operating the systems in the field.
The contract is to be fulfilled by August 2027.
Tempest
The Tempest anti-aircraft missile system is designed to combat enemy drones, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft in all weather conditions.
The combat vehicle is built on a chassis similar to that of the Can-Am Maverick X3 commercial buggy and is designed for operations in which high mobility and low observability play a key role.
To engage targets, the system is equipped with two AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. During the presentation, the developer did not specify the exact variant of the munitions, but it is likely that they are AGM-114L Hellfire Longbow missiles, equipped with a radar homing seeker.
A radar station is mounted on the buggy’s frame, which likely provides target detection and tracking, as well as target designation for the missiles. Optical sighting systems and laser guidance systems were not demonstrated during the exhibition.
This may indicate that the radar is the primary means of target search and tracking, which, in turn, further supports the assumption that AGM-114L missiles are being used.
It is stated that the radar’s modular architecture allows the platform to quickly switch between mobile and stationary configurations without losing situational awareness or tracking accuracy.
In addition to the mobile version, V2X offers the Tempest on a trailer for static or semi-fixed missions, including the defense of military bases and airfield perimeters.
The system has a limited ammunition load—only two missiles per launcher—but the Hellfire missiles are equipped with a powerful warhead weighing about 9 kg.
This is sufficient to guarantee the destruction of attack drones in the air while minimizing collateral damage on the ground caused by falling debris.
This is stated in the contract released by the Pentagon.
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