Marine Corps boosts drone warfare funding to $235M amid gaps in training and hardware

In a notable move to enhance warfare capabilities, the United States Marine Corps has begun focusing on drone warfare by introducing a new handbook from the 1st Marine Division. This handbook outlines the Corps' need to modernize their approach, particularly in light of the increasing role of small Uncrewed Aerial Systems (sUAS) in modern combat. It highlights the necessity for improved tactics, training, and hardware acquisition following observations made in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The Marines aim to integrate drone operations alongside traditional combat aircraft within shared airspace, a challenge due to the nature of modern battlefield operations. While the handbook portrays an ambitious plan to leverage drone technologies for reconnaissance and strike missions, it underscores the gaps still evident in the Corps’ current capabilities. Specifically, the handbook reveals that the Marine Corps lacks dedicated two-way attack drones, which have been effectively utilized by the Ukrainian military. Their methodology includes using heavy bomber drones for tactical assaults and modifying commercial quadcopters for drone strikes, costing the Marines considerable efficiency and effectiveness on the battlefield. In contrast, the 1st Marine Division is actively working on tactics to employ existing scout drones, such as the R80D SkyRaider, for bombing missions, albeit using makeshift modifications that raise safety concerns. The training protocols on drone operations are in their infancy within the Marine Corps. A new team, specifically established at Quantico, Virginia, is tasked with developing comprehensive strategies related to drone usage in combat scenarios. This includes one-way attack drones, which have emerged as popular tools in warfare, particularly for the rapid and effective execution of strikes against enemy targets. The urgency in improving training reveals a proactive approach to mitigating the risk of having inadequately prepared troops when faced with modern combat technologies in actual conflicts. Furthermore, this financial commitment to drone warfare is significant, with the Marines increasing their drone funding to an impressive $235 million, more than doubling previous investments to enhance their operational capabilities by FY25. The expectation is to deploy both one- and two-way attack drones by the end of the year, signifying a rapid advancement in military training initiatives. The emphasis on making timely assessments and setting rigorous training standards is vital to prevent the ramifications of poor tactical decisions in future operations. The development of this handbook represents ongoing contributions from various Marine units and is intended to provide the foundational steps towards integrating drone warfare into the Marine Corps' combat framework.