Oil rigs repurposed as missile defense: US Navy’s bold new plan [Video]

The US Navy is charting a bold course with its latest initiative, the Mobile Defense/Depot Platform (MODEP) concept. Unveiled at the recent Sea Air Space 2024 expo, this project proposes a novel solution to address evolving security challenges in the Pacific: repurposing surplus oil rigs into mobile missile defense and resupply bases.

The MODEP concept

Developed by Gibbs & Cox, a Leidos company, the MODEP concept envisions transforming existing oil rigs into large, self-sufficient island bases. These mobile platforms would be strategically positioned at sea and operate independently for extended periods of up to 12 months.

The converted rigs boast impressive firepower potential. They can be equipped with either 512 vertical launch system (VLS) cells or 100 large missile launchers, a significant leap compared …