The US Marine Corps has formed a unit that will use FPV drones
The US Marine Corps is prioritising the use of FPV drones to enhance the combat capabilities of small units by creating a special MCADT unit.
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Amid the rapid development of FPV technologies, especially under the influence of the conflicts in Eastern Europe, the Marine Corps formed the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team (MCADT) on 3 January. The team will integrate attack drones into small group tactics, increasing their effectiveness in combat.
The unit is based in Quantico and works with the Warfighting Laboratory to improve FPV tactics.
The MCADT will also participate in military competitions, where it will test its skills for the first time on 3 July at the US National Drone Association Championship. Participants, including the 75th Ranger Regiment, will perform tasks with FPV drones in realistic combat conditions. Different types of control will be tested: radio, fibre-optic and autonomous artificial intelligence control.
The operator of the Skydio X2D drone. Illustration: Marines
The decision to introduce low-cost attack drones was an important milestone, as only a year ago the Corps purchased similar Rogue 1 drones from Teledyne FLIR Defence for $100,000 per unit. The Rogue 1 is a 4.5-kg kamikaze drone with a range of up to 10 km and a 30-minute operating time. It is designed for precision strikes on manpower and equipment.
The new approach involves the massive use of cheaper FPV drones, which will make marine units more mobile and flexible in modern combat conditions.
Source: Marines
