South Korea Lands U.S. Marine Trucks via 300-Ton Ferry as Anti-Drone Netting Shields Beachhead
Updated
Updated · Army Recognition · Jul 16
South Korea Lands U.S. Marine Trucks via 300-Ton Ferry as Anti-Drone Netting Shields Beachhead
3 articles · Updated · Army Recognition · Jul 16
Summary
Dogu Beach in Pohang saw South Korean personnel drive an Improved Navy Lighterage System ferry ashore on July 9, opening a roll-on/roll-off route for U.S. Marine Corps trucks without a fixed pier.
The CJLOTS 26 drill showed how allied forces could keep supplies moving if ports are damaged or threatened, while overhead mesh on the ferry was assessed as a passive barrier against small drones.
The modular system can form a roughly 270-foot causeway ferry rated at about 300 tons or a 1,100-foot floating causeway, giving commanders flexible ship-to-shore options in shallow beach approaches.
That flexibility still leaves exposure: the ferry has no visible organic air defense, is rated for Sea State 3, and a 12-nautical-mile run can take about 72 minutes on a predictable route.
Combined Forces Command said it was the first time U.S. shipping had been offloaded through a Korean lighterage system, underscoring interoperability but also the need for layered protection of offshore and beach logistics nodes.
With adversaries rapidly deploying nets, is the U.S. military's slow adoption creating a critical battlefield vulnerability?
As cheap drones dominate battlefields, can simple netting truly shield billion-dollar military hardware from sophisticated attacks?
Layered Counter-Drone Defense in 2026: Lessons from CJLOTS 26 and the Rise of Anti-Drone Netting
Overview
On July 9, 2026, U.S. Marines and Republic of Korea forces demonstrated a new layer of defense for logistics operations during the CJLOTS 26 exercise at Dogu Beach, South Korea. The exercise featured the deployment of anti-drone netting as a passive defense mechanism, specifically installed as overhead mesh on the Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS). This innovation aimed to protect critical maritime logistics from drone threats, highlighting the importance of adaptable and immediate physical barriers. The integration of netting into INLS operations showcased a practical approach to enhancing operational flexibility and safeguarding supply lines in challenging environments.