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Marines Train on FPV Drones: The New Face of Warfare
10 May
Summary
- Marines are training on first-person-view attack drones.
- These drones are small, low-cost, and highly precise weapons.
- The Pentagon is accelerating adoption of this technology.
The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is undergoing intensive training with first-person-view (FPV) attack drones at Camp Lejeune. This technology, already instrumental in conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, is now a priority for the Pentagon. These modified quadcopters are designed to follow moving targets and deliver payloads with precision.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has mandated rapid training and deployment of these lethal, low-cost drones. The Marine Corps aims to certify hundreds of pilots and equip every unit, marking the first time they will possess organic attack drone capabilities. Pilots control the drones remotely, seeing through a headset exactly what the drone sees.
Unlike larger, multi-million dollar U.S. drones, FPVs are cheap and expendable, offering a crucial kinetic capability previously lacking. This contrasts sharply with the manufacturing capacity of adversaries like China and Russia, who produce millions annually, while the U.S. plans to field tens of thousands by the end of 2026.
Despite acknowledging the need for faster adoption, the military is taking steps to ensure better systems are employed effectively on the battlefield. Marines recognize the challenge but feel prepared, emphasizing that experience, combined with determination, is key to facing adversaries.
