FPV drones in the US Marine Corps: new Attack Drone Team MCADT to strengthen rifle squads

Armed first-person view (FPV) drones are spreading rapidly and bringing new combat tactics with them. The US Marine Corps is responding with a dedicated team: the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team (MCADT).

Because the threat spectrum is constantly changing, the Corps intends to integrate FPV drone capabilities into the Fleet Marine Force (FMF) quickly. This is meant to increase assertiveness and operational striking power.

Major Alejandro Tavizon, company commander of the Weapons Training Battalion and officer in charge of the MCADT, describes the approach as follows: “The MCADT focuses on the rapid fielding of armed FPV drones within the FMF in order to increase the striking power of small units and provide urgently needed organic capabilities” He adds: “By employing new technologies and refining drone-specific tactics, we ensure that our Marines remain agile, adaptable and assertive on the battlefield of the future.”

“Simply put, the new capabilities the Marine Corps is now fielding extend the operational reach of a rifle squad from less than one kilometre to more than 20 kilometres – at a fraction of the previous cost, even against enemy personnel, materiel and armoured targets.”
Colonel Scott Cuomo

Central expert team for FPV drones

In future, the MCADT will act as the Marine Corps' central expert team for the operational use of the drones.

Its mission includes contributing lessons from current combat operations and representing the Marine Corps at competitions – joint, national and international. Through iterative training and competitions, the team is also to help develop cutting-edge FPV capabilities. Ultimately, warfare is to become more effective.

“Today's battlefield is changing rapidly – and we must adapt at the same speed. The Marine Corps Attack Drone Team ensures that our troops operate at the forefront of the precise use of modern drone technology – and thus secure a decisive advantage in future conflicts.”
Major Alejandro Tavizon

First appearance in Florida

The team will contest its first competition at the Military Drone Crucible Championship of the US National Drone Association. It takes place in Florida from 30 June to 3 July.

The programme includes tactical engagements and complete mission profiles tailored to the so-called “hunter-killer method”. Both small unmanned aircraft systems and FPV drones are used. Various control modes – via radio frequency, fibre optics or with the help of artificial intelligence – are also intended to increase operational effectiveness.

The MCADT's tasks include:

• developing and continuously refining training with armed FPV drones for Marines of all service branches,
• keeping informed about technological requirements so that cutting-edge FPV technologies are introduced quickly,
• improving operational readiness with practical instruction at competitive training events.