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The Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory was established in October 1995 

as a critical engine for change within the 

Marine Corps Expeditionary Force Development Process. The Lab conducts 

concept-based experimentation to develop and evaluate tactics, techniques, and 

procedures (TTPs), as well as technologies, in order to provide the warfighter 

with enhanced future warfighting capabilities. These technologies and TTPs are 

field tested in concept-based experiments 

conducted with the operating forces. 

Marine Corps experimentation is 

a key enabler of naval transformation, 

and the Lab recognizes that there are 

three worlds of innovation and transformation–solving immediate problems, 

realizing the next service, and charting a 

way for the service after next. 

Operational experimentation benefits the warfighter by developing capabilities to solve immediate problems facing 

the current force. Under Project Metropolis, the Lab has worked closely with the 

operating forces in the development of 

urban tactics, techniques and procedures, 

resulting in a Basic Urban Skills Training 

(BUST) package. The combat experience of Third Battalion, Seventh Marines 

during Operation Iraqi Freedom I (OIF-I) 

highlighted the value of BUST training 

and, at the request of the First Marine 

Division, the Lab developed a preparatory training package for all its infantry 

battalions deploying for OIF II. BUST, 

Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory
From Requirements to Capabilities 93

which has transitioned to the Training 

and Education Command, is planned to 

be provided to OIF III units. 

The Lab serves as the Marine Corps 

access point to the larger science and 

technology (S&T) communities, such 

as the Office of Naval Research (ONR) 

and Defense Applied Research Program 

Activity. Capitalizing on this capability, the Deputy Commandant for Combat Development designated the Lab as 

executive agent for Operation Respond 

and the Marine Corps Improvised Explosive Device Working Group (IED WG). 

Operation Respond is a Secretary of the 

Navy initiative that provides a venue for 

Marines to identify emerging Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and OIF 

needs, and serves as a mechanism for the 

S&T communities to rapidly respond to 

their requests. Some success stories from 

Operation Respond include several new 

and improved types of body armor, dust 

abatement solutions, explosive resistant 

coating, unmanned ground and aerial 

vehicle fielding and improvements, and 

language translator support. 

Established in December 2003, the IED 

WG brings an increased focus on this particular high-profile threat to forces operating in Iraq and Afghanistan. The IED WG 

is comprised of Marine active and reserve 

personnel, along with civilian contractors 

and representatives from the ONR the Navy 

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology 

Division and Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC). The IED WG works closely 

with MCSC and other Services to identify 

and develop technology, programs, and 

procedures to address the IED threat, and 

it maintains close ties with other organizations involved in the IED arena. The 

IED WG also serves as the Marine Corps 

conduit to the Joint Integrated Process 

Team for IED Defeat, headquartered in the 

Pentagon. To date, the IED WG has identified and facilitated the delivery of a radio 

frequency jamming capability, protective armor and clothing, robots, X-ray 

detection devices, thermal imagers, and 

other items of equipment. Current high 

priority projects include high-powered 

radio frequency jammers, a counter to 

predetonation devices for IEDs, and 

change-detection technology to identify IEDs with airborne platforms and 

sensors. 

The Lab also conducts experimentation to identify requirements and solutions to achieve the capabilities required 

by the next service. This is accomplished 

through our Sea Viking experimentation 

efforts that are focused on operationalizing the Distributed Operations (DO) and 

Ship To Objective Maneuver (STOM) future warfighting concepts. 

Sea Viking 2004 (SV 04) experimentation focused on tactical-level on the 

move/over the horizon (OTM/OTH) 

communications and position location information (PLI). At the request 

of Marine operating forces, the Lab’s 

Expeditionary Tactical Communications 

System (ETCS), which provides OTM/

OTH voice communications and PLI, will 

be assessed in Iraq where it will augment 

legacy systems. Sea Viking 04 also saw 

the initial development and assessment 
94 Chapter 2 | USMC Concepts + Programs 2006

of a true on-the-move battalion combat 

operations center. 

Building on previous experimentation, the Sea Viking 2006 (SV 06) campaign will examine enhanced training 

and equipment to enable a forward deployed Marine Air Ground Task Force 

(MAGTF) to conduct and support Joint 

Forcible Entry Operations. SV 06 will 

conduct live force experimentation of the 

emerging DO concept. The intent of this 

initiative is to examine the employment 

of networked forces over an extended 

battlefield to gather information, exercise 

influence, interdict selected targets, and 

support other naval and joint operations. 

DO will enhance the MAGTF commander’s ability to locate enemy forces and engage them with capabilities, ranging from 

close air support to direct assault. SV 06 

will also examine a sea-based battalion 

OTH Ship to Objective Manuever assault, seeking to exploit the results of the 

MAGTF’s distributed operations. 

The Lab also assists in the development of the service after next through 

long-range, open-ended wargaming, 

which enables the Marine Corps to address emerging threats and capabilities, 

and support concept development. 

The Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory is a focal point for exploration of 

future warfighting concepts and experimentation in support of both the Marine 

Corps combat development process and 

the Marine Corps contribution to Joint 

Concept Development and Experimentation, ultimately leading to the transformation of expeditionary warfighting 

forces for the future.