Marine Corps creates attack drone team as arms race with China heats up
The U.S. Marine Corps has taken proactive steps to address the evolving landscape of modern warfare by establishing the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team (MCADT) earlier this year. This team is dedicated to responding to the rapid development of armed first-person view (FPV) drone technology and tactics. The MCADT is based at the Weapons Training Battalion, Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia, and aims to enhance small-unit lethality by leveraging emerging technologies and refining drone employment tactics.
The FPV drones utilized by the MCADT offer squad-level lethality at a range of up to 20 kilometers for under $5,000. This cost-effective solution provides Marines with a significant advantage on the battlefield compared to more expensive weapons systems with less capability. The Marine Corps Attack Drone Team recently showcased the capabilities of the Skydio X2D drone as a reconnaissance drone, highlighting its potential in modern warfare scenarios.
Military experts, such as Army veteran Brett Velicovich, have emphasized the importance of integrating armed first-person view drones into the Fleet Marine Force. Velicovich believes that the United States is lagging behind other countries, particularly China, in drone technology production. He advocates for viewing drones not just as surveillance assets, but as a form of ammunition that can significantly impact future battles.
The creation of MCADT comes at a critical time as the United States faces a drone arms race with adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran. These countries have made substantial advancements in drone technology, with Ukraine manufacturing over 1.5 million FPV drones in 2024 alone. The United States must scale up its drone production to remain competitive in this rapidly evolving field.
The U.S. National Drone Association will be hosting the Military Drone Crucible Championship in Florida later this summer, where the Marines and the Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment will showcase their drone skills and tactics in modern combat scenarios. This competition will serve as a platform to demonstrate the capabilities of armed drones and highlight the importance of integrating this technology into military operations.
Overall, the establishment of the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team underscores the Marine Corps’ commitment to remaining agile, adaptive, and lethal in the modern battlespace. By embracing emerging technologies and tactics, the Marine Corps is positioning itself to effectively respond to the challenges of modern warfare and secure a competitive edge on the battlefield.
