The US Marine Corps’ offshore supply vessel Resolution undergoes tests to transform into a next-generation naval logistics ship, as reported on Tuesday, February 26.
Riding the Wave of Innovation: The Marine Corps’ New Frontier
In the thick of it all, our beloved Jarheads of the US Marine Corps are throwing down the gauntlet in the shallows, hitching a ride on a behemoth they’re calling the Resolution.
This ain’t your granddaddy’s supply ship; at a whopping 254 feet (77 meters), she’s cutting through the Pacific like a knife through butter, all under the watchful eyes of the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab.
They’re not just taking this beauty for a spin; they’re rewriting the playbook for how we tangle with the coastlines, where the sea meets the sand and every inch is contested.
Behemoth at the Basin: The Resolution’s Imposing Presence
Moored at Camp Pendleton’s Del Mar boat basin, this leviathan’s not just turning heads with her sheer size but with what she’s packing.
They’ve kitted her out to the nines—a 115-foot (35 meters) ramp, landing gear that could anchor her steady on the moon, and a pair of “strong backs” that make Atlas look like a lightweight.
She’s ready to storm beaches, rocky or sandy, and it doesn’t matter, offloading grunts, jeeps, and whatever else we need to get the job done.
Cathy Close from Marine Corps Systems Command laid it out bare—This is our classroom at sea. We’re learning the ropes, figuring out what it’ll take to build the next generation of amphibious ass-kickers. And Ray Butler, one of the brains behind the brawn, broke down the tech wizardry that’s keeping this beast stable and versatile, ready to tackle whatever terrain we throw at her.
With a crew of 12 civilian mariners from Hornbeck Offshore at the helm and a deck bristling with gear, including a 10-ton crane, she’s not just versatile; she’s a floating Swiss Army knife. They’re even planning to throw drones into the mix, testing out new ways to keep the supply lines running without putting boots on the ground.
Major General Benjamin Watson didn’t mince words. This isn’t just about showboating; it’s about keeping those bastards on their toes, knowing we can hit ’em where it hurts, in the littorals, with enough firepower and supplies to make a beachhead feel like a homecoming.
Joint Forces, Joint Futures: Project Convergence and Inter-Service Synergy
And it’s not just a Marine Corps gig. The Army’s in on the action, too, with their Project Convergence—an all-service experiment of future fighting.
Major Dan Greenlee’s talking about teamwork, proving we can keep the machine running smoothly, even when the bullets start flying.
HOS RESOLUTION contracted by the Marine Corps as its experimental stern landing vessel platform, November 18, 2023. (Image source: DVIDS)
So as the Resolution charts her course, from the sands of Hawaii to the shores of Japan, she’s not just a ship; she’s the tip of the spear, a testament to Marine ingenuity and determination.
With the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment riding shotgun, this voyage is more than a mission; it’s a declaration that we’re ready, able, and willing to adapt, overcome, and stick it to the enemy, no matter the odds.
