In a significant development reflecting the increasing importance of drones in contemporary military operations, the US Marine Corps has announced the establishment of a specialized attack drone team aimed at bolstering its combat capabilities. The Marine Corps Attack Drone Team (MCADT) is set to focus on training related to first-person view (FPV) drones, thereby equipping Marines with state-of-the-art unmanned aerial systems.
The MCADT is intended to function as a hub of expertise in FPV drone operations, which will aid in defining service-level requirements and hastening the introduction of innovative drone technologies. According to the Marine Corps, the objectives of the team include integrating lessons learned from recent combat experiences, representing the Marine Corps in various competitions at inter-service, national, and international levels, and providing operational feedback to facilitate the development of advanced FPV drone capabilities, ultimately enhancing overall warfighting effectiveness.
Stationed at the Weapons Training Battalion-Quantico in Virginia, the MCADT will collaborate closely with the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory. The impetus behind the team’s formation can be traced to the rapidly evolving tactics associated with drone warfare, particularly observed in active geopolitical conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war. This conflict has underscored the tactical advantages provided by FPV drones, which have been extensively deployed to conduct strikes and influence the dynamics of the battlefield.
Through the efforts of the MCADT, individual and unit combat effectiveness is expected to significantly improve via practical training and real-world application of drone capabilities. Maj. Alejandro Tavizon, the officer-in-charge of the MCADT, emphasized the necessity of adaptability in the face of the changing nature of warfare. “Today’s battlefield is changing rapidly, and we must adapt just as quickly,” he remarked, underscoring the critical role that precision drone employment will play in future military engagements.
The MCADT’s inaugural training event is scheduled for June, where the team will engage in a competitive training exercise against elite military units, including the 75th Ranger Regiment. This event will focus on executing tactical FPV drone missions within simulated battlefield scenarios, showcasing the potential of these advanced systems in enhancing military effectiveness.
