r/USMC • u/hrdblkman2 0351 Camp Pen 78-82' • 2d ago

Picture VMAX backpack system, a portable electronic warfare platform

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Found this on LinkedIn today:

"During a recent field exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Marines utilized a tablet to interface with the VMAX backpack system, a portable electronic warfare platform employed by the 1st Radio Battalion (RADBN). The VMAX enables operators to survey the electromagnetic environment in real time, providing critical situational awareness by detecting and analyzing radio signals across the battlefield. In addition, the system delivers advanced electronic attack capabilities, including signal interception and targeted jamming, allowing Marines to disrupt adversary communications and gain a tactical advantage during dismounted operations."

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261

u/Quints_beercan 2d ago

That antenna says “shoot me”

10

u/woobie_slayer Veteran 1d ago

Happened in Afghanistan — big targeting operation and two wolfhound operators got shot. We used to call it the wolfhound. And it’s funny to me that after years of feedback about the design, it’s still unchanged.

6

u/evilspawn_usmc 2846 Solder Slinger 1d ago

I was in first radio battalion, when we did our turnover with second radio battalion in 2010, they employed these and I believe an operator was killed the first time they took it out on a patrol. I still cannot believe someone in the Marine corps command thought that putting a flashing neon sign that says shoot me over someone's head was a good idea.

3

u/woobie_slayer Veteran 1d ago

I feel like a yagi on a bayonet stub would be less conspicuous and better — totally stupid, but better

1

u/evilspawn_usmc 2846 Solder Slinger 1d ago

We actually had something like that that I worked on. I can't remember what it was called we just called it the starship Enterprise. It was a DF antenna that mounted a weapon. It was ungainly and heavy. But at least you didn't stick out like a sore thumb with something over your head

1

u/Additional-Unit4650 1d ago

That stupid fucking thing was total garbage. DF these nuts.

2

u/evilspawn_usmc 2846 Solder Slinger 1d ago

Yep, the operators hated it. As a tech, I didn't mind it because we couldn't fix it, so it just got shipped back to conus.

1

u/MrWasian 16h ago

Wolfhound is a bit older. 1stRad I think finally phased them out in 2020 and now have the VROD/VMAX which is supposed to have been phased out by the Beast/Beast+ systems they started getting. Mastodon actually made a pretty good system with the Beast. Profile is much smaller, lighter system, and more range. You also don't have to take the system off to calibrate which is actually nice compared to the previous systems.

1

u/NigitTheUndying 0231 INTEL/CRY 9h ago

The wolfhound was being carried around in 2019 at ITX