Navy, Marine Corps rehearse manned-unmanned helicopter strikes
By Megan Eckstein
Mar 15, 03:56 PM
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps demonstrated a naval manned-unmanned teaming capability during an exercise in California, showing off how their tactics and equipment could come together in the future to fight in a littoral environment.
UH-1Y Venom and AH-1Z Viper helicopters from Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VMX-1) conducted attacks during the March 10 exercise, while an MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle from the Navy’s Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23 (HSC-23) helped find the targets. Both Marines and sailors coordinated the strike from the Fire Scout ground control station, according to a Marine Corps news release.
“This opportunity promotes greater familiarization and concept development of the manned-unmanned teaming that builds confidence and efficiency throughout the Blue-Green Team,” VMX-1 Commanding Officer Col. Byron Sullivan said in the news release. He added that the commandant of the Marine Corps and the chief of naval operations had directed the sea services to “embrace the future of warfare and turn it into our advantage on the battlefield.”
https://www.militarytimes.com/naval/2022/03/15/navy-marine-corps-rehearse-manned-unmanned-helicopter-strikes/
