MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va.– It started with a query: how can the Division of Protection harness the speedy technological evolution of First-Particular person View (FPV) drones to reinforce warfighter capabilities? Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory personnel had noticed this speedy evolution whereas supporting Safety Help Group – Ukraine all through 2023 and 2024 on a joint Revolution in Army Affairs crew. The FPV impression on the battlefield was obvious. The Warfighting Lab wanted a solution to this new know-how.
For the Lab’s Science & Know-how Division, the reply was clear—it could take innovation, collaboration, and a relentless concentrate on modernization to convey the FPV and its revolutionary impact to the Marine Corps. In January 2024, MCWL stepped ahead to guide the Joint First-Particular person View Working Group, a visionary initiative designed to revolutionize the combination of FPV drones into army operations.
From the outset, the mission of the Joint FPV Working Group was bold. The objective was to determine the vital capabilities wanted on the tactical edge, collaborate with business to design options, and be certain that these applied sciences met the stringent necessities of the Nationwide Protection Authorization Act. At its core, the group aimed to ship NDAA-compliant, low-cost FPV and Group 1 Unmanned Arial Techniques platforms that would supply the DoD with versatile, dependable, and cutting-edge instruments to empower the warfighter.
“FPV drones, with their agility and precision, signify a transformative leap in unmanned techniques” in response to Colonel Nathan Marvel, Science and Know-how & Speedy Capabilities Workplace Director, Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory/Futures Directorate. To MCWL, FPVs provide a stage of operational versatility that can not be matched by conventional techniques, enabling each kinetic and non-kinetic results in advanced operational surroundings. This versatility enhances the brand new Natural Precision Fires – Mild (OPF-L) functionality that’s quickly to be fielded to the working forces. With OPF-L in progress, it was essential that MCWL deal with the FPV know-how to convey much more functionality to Marines.
MCWL introduced collectively a various coalition of stakeholders—DoD entities, business leaders, and specialists in drone know-how to deal with challenges starting from defining tactical necessities to navigating advanced regulatory hurdles. The group’s efforts included partnering with business innovators to design drones optimized for each precision strikes and assist missions, conducting rigorous testing and experimentation to make sure operational effectiveness and resilience in contested environments, and advocating for the significance of Uncrewed Aerial Techniques to assist the warfighter.
The Blue UAS Record is a listing of drones that the DoD has authorized for presidency use that helps streamline the acquisition pathway for continued modernization of the pressure. Created by the Protection Innovation Unit, the Blue UAS Record is greater than a catalog; it’s a vital software for making certain that warfighters have entry to safe, dependable, and operationally related unmanned techniques.
In its first yr the Joint FPV Working Group succeeded in including the Neros Archer FPV drone to the Blue UAS Record, marking the primary time an FPV drone has achieved this standing, a big milestone not only for the Marine Corps however for the complete DoD.
The Neros Archer stands out for its affordability, being 4 occasions lower than the price of comparable platforms, its modular design prepared for speedy deployment, and its versatility in delivering precision kinetic results whereas supporting broader operational wants.
The addition of the Neros Archer comes at a vital time. Trendy conflicts have demonstrated how quickly evolving applied sciences like FPV drones can shift the steadiness on the battlefield. By embracing innovation and fostering collaboration, MCWL ensures that U.S. forces stay not solely related however dominant in an ever-changing operational panorama.
Because the Joint FPV Working Group continues its mission, extra low-cost, NDAA-compliant FPV and Group 1 UAS platforms are anticipated to hitch the Blue UAS Record in 2025. These techniques will increase the vary of instruments accessible to warfighters, enhancing their capability to adapt and reach dynamic environments. This milestone reinforces the Marine Corps’ dedication to modernization and innovation.
With this mission progressing, MCWL now assists the Marine Corps within the stand-up of a cadre of skilled FPV operators as an Assault Drone Crew inside Weapons Coaching Battalion (WTBN). Two coaching programs have been funded with Marines from WTBN, MARSOC, and the fleet skilled. By means of a Memorandum of Settlement with WTBN, MCWL continues to acquire superior functionality to assist outfit this cadre whereas Fight Growth Directorate manages the necessities improvement to increase the potential throughout the pressure.
Additional, MCWL and WTBN are working approval from Naval Air Techniques Command of designation as improvement labs. This designation will permit each entities to make licensed drones within the at-the-edge method we observe Ukrainian forces doing at their entrance line. MCWL additionally continues the following know-how advances with new begins so as to add larger autonomy to alleviate the pilot calls for of FPV operation. This work expands upon current wearable tactical community, frequent unmanned techniques management, and precision fires kill chain tasks.
One other associated effort is the OPF-L Lane led by Tactical Coaching and Train Management Group (TTECG) at Marine Corps Air Floor Fight Middle Twentynine Palms. Begun in fall 2024 to lean into OPF-L familiarization by way of Service Degree Coaching Train, this lane is a way to reveal working forces to the most recent know-how forward of program of document fielding. Resourced by MCWL, the lane is anticipated to increase in 2025-2026 to incorporate techniques from the OSD Replicator Initiative which can be in improvement by Science & Know-how Division.
Fleet models can go to the Fight Growth & Integration Clever Robotics and Autonomous Techniques sharepoint web page to view directions for Blue UAS Record FPV procurement. FPV techniques will turn out to be accessible as they’re authorized. By means of the Joint FPV effort, Assault Drone Crew, TTECG know-how lane, and Replicator, Marines can count on to see a proliferation of recent capabilities within the close to future. MCWL stays steadfast in its dedication to equipping warfighters with the instruments they should obtain tactical superiority at the moment and meet the challenges of tomorrow.
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