The U.S. Marine Corps' Strategy for Drone Conflicts - and Lacking Elements Unveiled
The United States Marine Corps has taken a significant step forward in its drone warfare capabilities with the publication of the "1st Marine Division Schools sUAS / CUAS Integration Handbook." This comprehensive guide outlines strategies for both employing and countering drones in battlefield conditions, marking a milestone in the USMC's preparation for a potential drone war.
The handbook, which is a collaborative effort beyond the 1st Marine Division, details various drone missions, including Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA), One-Way Strike (FPV drones), and Two-Way Strike (bomber drones that return for reuse). It also provides guidance on the safe handling of drone munitions, such as the need to load fragmentation grenades upright for easier manipulation of safety mechanisms.
In terms of hardware acquisitions, the Marine Corps is actively procuring specialized systems. For small drone threats, the Corps has ordered the SMASH 2000L fire control system from Israeli company Smartshooter. This handheld, kinetic "hard-kill" solution integrates AI and advanced tracking algorithms, improving shooting precision and lethality in complex drone-threat environments. Deployment of these systems is expected to begin in fiscal year 2026, prioritizing units currently deployed or preparing to deploy.
For larger, longer-duration drone operations, Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron units operate MQ-9A drones capable of extended-range targeting, maritime awareness, and multi-domain sensing. Since 2023, these squadrons have been deployed to key Indo-Pacific bases, marking a step forward in integrating group 5 (high-altitude, long-endurance) drone capabilities organically into Marine aviation.
The handbook also highlights ongoing efforts to develop offensive drone tactics for both one-way (kamikaze) and two-way attack drones. However, detailed information on operational deployment or formal training programs specifically for manned utilization of attack drones of either type was not explicitly confirmed in the latest public sources.
The Marine Corps will field both one- and two-way attack drones by the end of this year, and training is set to expand rapidly. The handbook, while comprehensive, is very much open to revision, criticism, and modification with the goal of creating a more complete and useful version. Missing chapters on Weaponeering (drone weapons and how to use them) and the electromagnetic spectrum are likely to be added soon.
The budget for small drone procurement for the Corps is significantly down in FY2026, but the Marine Corps received a little over $153M in their FY26 Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDTEN) account to support UAS and one-way attack munitions. The spokesman stated that the goal is to enhance the capabilities of the warfighter on the ground and welcomed constructive criticism.
The handbook references learnings from the conflict in Ukraine and notes that the Marine Corps currently lacks dedicated systems for Two-Way Attack drones, and employment Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) remain nascent. The Marine Corps Tactics and Operations Group (MCTOG) is currently preparing a technical pamphlet on one-way attack drone operations.
The handbook also mentions the R80D SkyRaider scout drone and the SkyRaider Payload and Marking Attachment (SPAM-A), a 3D-printed gadget that can be attached to the drone's legs with zip ties and can be loaded with water balloons, tennis balls, or flash bangs for live operations. Grenades are used in these instances.
In conclusion, the US Marine Corps has made tangible steps in acquiring dedicated counter-drone hardware and operating high-end reconnaissance drones, while actively developing tactics and training. However, the full exploitation of one-way and two-way attack drone capabilities is still under development, with priorities on closing gaps between hardware capability and operational integration through continued innovation and training.
The "1st Marine Division Schools sUAS / CUAS Integration Handbook" showcases the USMC's commitment to technology, detailing strategies for drone warfare, including Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA), One-Way Strike (FPV drones), and Two-Way Strike (bomber drones that return for reuse).
As part of hardware acquisitions, the Marine Corps is procuring specialized systems, such as the SMASH 2000L fire control system, a handheld technological solution for countering small drone threats.
