In response to the growing role of drones in modern warfare, the US Marine Corps has established a dedicated attack drone team to enhance combat capabilities.
The Marine Corps Attack Drone Team (MCADT) will focus on first-person view (FPV) drone training, ensuring Marines are equipped with cutting-edge unmanned systems.
It will also serve as a center of expertise for FPV drone operations, helping shape service-level requirements and accelerate new drone capabilities.
“The team’s mission is to integrate lessons from modern combat; represent the Marine Corps in inter-service, national, and international competitions; and, through iterative training and competition, provide input to the development of cutting-edge FPV drone capabilities to enhance warfighting effectiveness,” the service stated.
The MCADT will be based at the Weapons Training Battalion-Quantico in Virginia, working closely with the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory.
‘At the Forefront of Precision Drone Employment’
The creation of the MCADT was driven by rapidly evolving drone tactics observed in ongoing geopolitical conflicts, especially in Eastern Europe.
The Russia-Ukraine war has highlighted the tactical advantage of FPV drones, which are used extensively to attack territory and shift battlefield dynamics.
Through the MCADT, individual and unit lethality will reportedly be enhanced through hands-on training and real-world application.
“Today’s battlefield is changing rapidly, and we must adapt just as quickly,” MCADT officer-in-charge Maj. Alejandro Tavizon explained.
“The [MCADT] will ensure that our warfighters remain at the forefront of precision drone employment, providing a critical advantage in future conflicts.”
The team’s first training competition is set for June, where it will go head-to-head with elite units like the 75th Ranger Regiment, conducting tactical FPV drone missions in simulated battlefield scenarios.