Context:

The U.S. Marine Corps has established an attack drone team, the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team (MCADT), based at Quantico, Virginia, to enhance small-unit lethality and integrate first-person view drones into the Fleet Marine Force. These drones offer significant advantages with a range of up to 20 kilometers for under $5,000, providing a cost-effective alternative to more expensive weapon systems. Concerns have been raised about the U.S. lagging behind adversaries like Russia and China in drone production, as these countries have significantly higher manufacturing capacities. Ukrainian drone advancements during the conflict with Russia highlight the strategic importance of scalable drone technology. The global market is dominated by Chinese company DJI, raising national security concerns due to their potential access to sensitive data and infrastructure imagery.

Dive Deeper:

• The Marine Corps Attack Drone Team at Quantico, Virginia, focuses on integrating armed first-person view drones to enhance small-unit lethality and provide capabilities currently lacking in the Fleet Marine Force.

• These drones can operate at a range of up to 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) for less than $5,000, proving to be a more economical option compared to other weapon systems with less capability.

• Brett Velicovich, an Army veteran, emphasizes that the U.S. is lagging behind in drone technology development, particularly in comparison to adversaries like China and Russia, which poses a national security concern.

• Ukraine's domestic production of over 1.5 million FPV drones in 2024, used effectively in the conflict against Russian forces, demonstrates the potential of scalable drone technology in modern warfare.

• Chinese company DJI dominates the global drone market with over 70% market share, raising concerns about data security and national security threats due to potential access to sensitive information.

• Experts suggest that the U.S. needs to scale up its drone production to at least 250,000 units per year to match the competitive edge of China and enhance its strategic capabilities.

• The U.S. National Drone Association is set to host the Military Drone Crucible Championship, providing a platform for the Marines and the Army's 75th Ranger Regiment to showcase their drone skills in modern combat scenarios.