Every squad will get anti-drone gear, Marine Corps says
With “zero decision space” to deal with incoming UAVs, troops need tools to take them down.
SAM SKOVE | JULY 23, 2024 03:46 PM ET
MARINE CORPS DRONES INDUSTRY
The Marines plan to equip every squad—from logistics units to reconnaissance teams deep in enemy territory—with a suite of tools to take down drones, a Marine officer told Defense One last week ahead of a September competition to pick gear.
Marines deployed to the field are already set to receive some form of protection from powerful anti-air vehicles, such as the Corps’ L-MADIS and MADIS systems.
However, those systems’ protective bubble only goes so far, said Capt. Taylor Barefoot, the Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems Capabilities Integration officer at the Marine Corps’ Capabilities Development Directorate. And Ukrainian troops have found that large, vehicle-based air-defense systems can draw enemy fire—and attract more drones than they have weapons to shoot down.
The Corps therefore wants to provide every unit with a “rudimentary, essential, self-defense capability,” Barefoot said.
https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2024/07/every-marine-squad-will-get-anti-drone-gear/398275/?oref=d1-homepage-top-story
