Marine Corps Launches Cutting-Edge Attack Drone Unit for Modern Warfare

Marine Corps Unveils Innovative 'Attack Drone Team'

In an action that mirrors the increased global engagement with first-person view (FPV) drone technology and tactics, the Commanding Generals of Training Command, Maj. Gen. Anthony M. Henderson, and the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, Brig. Gen. Simon M. Doran announced the creation of the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team (MCADT) on January 3, 2025. The establishment reflects the Marine Corps' proactive approach to adopting new technological advances in response to evolving threats and shifting battle dynamics, primarily observed in Eastern European conflicts.

MCADT: A Strategic Move towards Modern Warfare

Expressing the core mission of the MCADT, Maj. Alejandro Tavizon, officer in charge of MCADT and the headquarters company commander at Weapons Training Battalion, stated, "By optimally integrating armed first-person view drones within the Fleet Marine Force (FMF), we aim to enhance our small-unit efficacy and plug the existing gaps in warfighter capabilities. Our commitment is towards adopting emerging technologies and bringing tactical refinement to drone employment, thus enabling Marines to revamp their agility and lethality in the contemporary combat arena."

Situated at WTBn-Quantico under Training Command, the MCADT aims to glean expertise from the Marine Corps Shooting Team's illustrious 124-year history. Due to their reputation as authorities in precision weaponry, this symbiotic arrangement will undoubtedly be pivotal in enhancing MCADT's capabilities.

MCADT’s Mandate: Enhancing the Warfighting Measures

MCADT's primary obligation is to learn from current combat experiences, represent the Marine Corps in inter-Service, national, and international competitions, and, through intensive training sessions, contribute towards crafting state-of-the-art FPV drone capabilities to augment warfighting potency. More specifically, the team's mission includes:

• Formulating and refining armed FPV drone training for Marines spanning the Total Force.
• Delivering insights into service-level requisites to expedite the deployment of advanced FPV technologies.
• Offering hands-on instruction during combative training events to boost individual and unit potency.

Looking to the future of the battlefield, Maj. Tavizon underscored the critical role of MCADT. "Our primary objective is to keep pace with the speedily evolving combat terrain. As the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team, we are dedicated to ensuring our warfighters maintain their edge in precision drone employment, thus garnering a crucial advantage in forthcoming conflicts."

Striving for Excellence: MCADT at Competitions and Beyond

MCADT will serve as the Marine Corps' acknowledged FPV drone employment experts and represent them in inter-service, national, and international competitions. The team plans to partake in the U.S. National Drone Association’s Military Drone Crucible Championship to be held from June 30 to July 3, 2025, in Florida. Here, MCADT will carry out tactical missions by employing FPVs and small unmanned aircraft systems in lifelike scenarios that simulate the conditions of modern warfare.

MCADT holds tremendous potential in prompting an exponential leap in combat strategies. The incorporation of FPV drones, whose squad-level lethality extends to 20 kilometers for under $5,000, provides a practical and scalable solution to modern combat necessities. This adoption signals a cost-effective alternative to pricier weaponry systems with lesser functionality.

Ongoing Efforts and Future Ambitions

MCADT is already deploying several Marine Corps program of record and non-program of record small unmanned aircraft systems and FPV controlled drones, bolstered by the dedicated partnership of the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory. With a broad range of capabilities, each of these drones will play a vital role in the successful completion of MCADT’s diverse missions.

The establishment of the MCADT signifies a noteworthy evolution in the modernization of Marine Corps capabilities. By arming Marines with cutting-edge drone technology that promotes extended range lethality at a minimal cost, the Corps can position itself at the forefront of modern warfare. Through persistent training, competitions, and collaboration, the MCADT is set to chart the course for the Corps' strategies to defeat national adversaries in the future.