Announcement of the Marine Corps FPV assault drone competitors – sUAS Information

R 201230Z MAY 25
MARADMIN 236/25
MSGID/GENADMIN/CG TECOM QUANTICO VA//
SUBJ/ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE MARINE CORPS ATTACK DRONE COMPETITION
PROGRAM//
REF/A/MARADMIN 235/25
REF/B/CNAF 3710.9/1 SEP 2021//
REF/C/MCO 3591.2L/3 DEC 2024//
REF/D/MARADMIN 284/24
REF/E/MARADMIN 398/24
NARR/REF A IS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MARINE CORPS ATTACK DRONE TEAM (MCADT). REF B IS GROUP 1 AND GROUP 2 NAVAL AVIATION TRAINING AND OPERATIONS PROCEDURES STANDARDIZATION. REF C IS MCO 3591.2L

THE MARINE CORPS COMPETITION IN ARMS PROGRAM. REF D IS CLARIFICATION OF GROUP 1 AND 2 UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UAS) POLICY FOR THE OPERATION OF USMC SMALL UAS (sUAS). REF E IS BLUE UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM (UAS) PROCUREMENT AND TRAINING.//
POC/HUYSMAN, B.P./COL/TRNGCMD G-3/TEL: DSN 378-2196/
COMM: (703) 432-2196//
POC/CUOMO, S.A /COL/CO WTBN/TEL: DSN 784-5084/
COMM: (703) 784-5084//
POC/TAVIZON, A.P./MAJ/OIC MCADT/TEL: DSN 278-5226/
COMM: (703) 784-5226//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/

1.  Goal.  To announce the creation of the Marine Corps Assault Drone Competitors Program.
2.  Background.  On 3 January 2025, the MCADT was established as described in reference (a) as a way of enabling the Service’s response to the fast proliferation of armed first-person view (FPV) drone expertise and ways. CG TRNGCMD, because the Designated

Approval Authority (DAA), has designated CO WTBn-Quantico because the  Plane Reporting Custodian (ARC) to conduct all actions  required to help MCADT operations in accordance with references (b) and (d). The MCADT will take part within the first US Army Drone Crucible Championship hosted by the USA Nationwide Drone Affiliation (USNDA) from 30 June 2025 to three July 2025 in  Florida, the place the Marines will battle in opposition to different US navy models. The Drone Crucible Championship will encompass tactical inserts and mission parameters designed to make the most of the

“hunter-killer technique” of using each sUAS and FPVs. After the July competitors, the MCADT will share classes realized to tell iterative updates to Service-level necessities to allow fast
fielding of essentially the most deadly capabilities to Marines throughout the Fleet Marine Power (FMF). Concurrently, the MCADT will finalize plans to offer intermediate and superior armed FPV drone abilities to the FMF and Complete Power by way of the Competitors-in-Arms Program (CIAP), much like what the Marine Corps Taking pictures Workforce has finished yearly for a lot of many years. Executing drone competitions along side the CIAP offers a possibility to refine and consistently enhance these new precision weapons abilities to assist make Marines throughout the FMF extra deadly on the battlefield. Extra particulars might be included with the discharge of the FY26 CIAP MARADMIN to incorporate particular competitors dates and places.

3.  Mission.  Via aggressive coaching and experimentation and by representing the Marine Corps in inter-service, nationwide, and worldwide competitions, the MCADT will quickly speed up armed FPV drone classes realized from trendy fight to extend our Corps’ warfighting benefit. The MCADT will present common enter to Service-level necessities and ship intermediate and superior armed FPV drone abilities to the Complete Power by way of the CIAP to extend particular person and unit lethality.

4.  MCADT Occasions

4.a.  The MCADT will host regional competitors occasions in FY26 along side the Marine Corps Taking pictures Workforce and the CIAP. These occasions will present the chance to share classes realized in
armed FPV ways, methods, and procedures (TTP) to FMF models to maximise lethality and capabilities with these new methods. These occasions will even present coaching and administrative help to
models who’re within the course of of creating FPV drone packages  of their respective instructions. Moreover, these occasions will function alternatives to recruit the very best FPV operators to the MCADT to
proceed to symbolize the Marine Corps at future occasions and immediately affect the Marine Corps’ procurement and employment of armed drones.

4.b.  The MCADT will host a ultimate championship and choice occasion at MCB Quantico in April 2026 along side the Marine Corps Championships marksmanship occasion. This choice competitors is the
venue for the MCADT to pick out essentially the most extremely certified FPV drone and sUAS operators from throughout the Marine Corps to enhance the MCADT throughout interservice and nationwide competitions. Marines
chosen to enhance the MCADT ought to count on to obtain  WTBn-Quantico-funded TAD orders.

5.  Duties

5.a.  Regional internet hosting models

5.a.1.  Function the lead planners for assigned match places. 

Coordinate with native instructions and the MCADT to make sure most participation.  If not already designated, models have to be established as ARCs per Ref (b) by 30 September 2025.

5.a.2.  Coordinate with MCADT and registered groups to schedule FPV/sUAS operations on authorized ranges, aligned with Marine Corps Taking pictures Workforce occasions. Be ready to determine a Restricted Working Zone (ROZ) per SEPCOR steerage from MCADT.  

5.a.3.  Submit frequency requests to the controlling frequency supervisor IAW native submission timelines. Frequency requests might be decided from accessible bands on the native installations and frequency ranges in accessible FPVs and sUAS which are registered for competitors.

5.a.4.  Coordinate all required vary security personnel, to incorporate  RSO, OIC, and corpsman.

5.a.5.  Work with MCADT to host a city corridor briefing for unit  commanders on establishing FPV / sUAS operations.

5.a.6.  No later than 90 days previous to the execution of the hosted competitors, publish a neighborhood Letter of Instruction (LOI),  outlining reporting directions, vary rules, billeting,  and different admin necessities. All necessities have to be full  earlier than coaching begins.

5.b.  Regional Internet hosting Installations (MCB Quantico, MCB Butler,  MCB Hawaii, MCB Camp Pendleton, and MCB Camp Lejeune).

5.b.1.  Facilitate coaching space and ROZ necessities per paragraph 5.A.2.

5.b.2.  Facilitate coordination, deconfliction, and approval of  frequency utilization per paragraph 5.A.3.

5.b.3. No later than 2 June 2025, coordinate with Coaching and Schooling Command’s Vary and Coaching Program Division and supply recognized factors of contact.

5.c.  Command Sponsored Groups

5.c.1.  Most participation will increase the variety of extremely expert FPV and sUAS pilots throughout the Marine Corps. Commanders from throughout the Complete Power are inspired to help group entries. Groups 
ought to be comprised of no less than one officer, one employees non-commissioned officer, and no less than 4 FPV pilots. The deliberate idea for the drone competitors contains no less than one sUAS operator because the sensor / hunter and one FPV pilot because the weapon / killer. Particular steerage for group construction might be launched in
the FY26 CIAP MARADMIN NLT June 2025.

5.c.2.  In preparation for these MCADT competitions and occasions, models are inspired to completely overview reference (b),  particularly appendix H, and reference (d), which define the present steps wanted to determine sUAS operations at a command. 

5.c.3.  Per reference (e), models can go to the Clever Robotics and autonomous Programs (IRAS) SharePoint at https:(slash)(slash) usmc.sharepoint-mil.us/websites/DCCDI/SitePages/DistroD/Clever
-Robotics-and-Autonomous-Programs.aspx to overview the method for buy of Blue UAS system within the Blue UAS Handbook.

5.d.  Vary and Coaching Applications Division. No later than 2 June 2025, coordinate with MCICOM and internet hosting installations to determine places and close by airspace for drone occasions alongside regional
marksmanship competitions.

6.  Particular person Eligibility.  All officer and enlisted Marines of the energetic and reserve elements who meet the next standards are eligible to take part within the MCADT choice and competitors  occasions: (1) authorized by their command; (2) have no less than one yr  remaining on contract from date of USNDA Nationwide Competitors;  and (3) possess the maturity and competence to soundly conduct FPV
and sUAS operations. Members should even be certified to function the assigned FPV drone and / or sUAS IAW ref (b), (d), and (e). 
Operators will need to have accomplished the UAS operator bodily (licensed by a licensed medical supplier, flight surgeon authorization isn’t required), be BUQ I / II certified, and designated in writing
by their ARC.

7.  Programs licensed to be used in competitors have to be Air Worthy as outlined by paragraphs 7.A. by means of

7.C. beneath.

7.a.  All program of report (POR) Group 1 sUAS methods (Skydio, SkyRaider, Puma).

7.b.  All non-POR methods listed on the DIU Blue Listing per reference
(e) that additionally meet the necessities listed in paragraph 7.C.

7.c.  Programs procured or developed by particular person models. The MCADT will consider any unit-procured or developed system for approval to take part in drone occasions throughout the CIAP. Determination authority
rests with MCADT Workforce Captain. The respective sUAS / drone should meet air worthiness as authorized by the MCADT Workforce Captain in coordination with the internet hosting unit commander and set up commander. 
Procedures and timelines to submit requests might be supplied within the FY26 CIAP MARADMIN. Procured methods by way of Business-Off-The-Shelf  (COTS) or developed as described above by taking part unit or
supporting command should match the factors as listed beneath:

7.c.1.  Man-packable (should carry the gear to the competitors,  i.e., no palletized or trucked containers of elements);

7.c.2.  Specs of weight (0)-(20) kilos, operates beneath 1,200 toes AGL, and pace as much as 100 KIAS;

7.c.3.  Bought as Nationwide Protection Authorization Act  (NDAA)-compliant or assembled with NDAA-compliant elements  per reference (e).

7.c.4.  Attritable.  Assault drones on the fashionable battlefield have to be low-cost. Models ought to attempt to maintain revolutionary constructing options as little as attainable throughout the constraints of the factors recognized above. For competitors, attritable might be outlined as lower than $2,000 for the flying elements of the system.  This  price determine doesn’t embrace FPV goggles, controller / radio,  and supporting gear.

7.d.  MCADT will set up a SharePoint website with a working listing of NDAA-approved elements and reference paperwork to determine native groups.

8.  MCADT Summer season Increase Program

8.a.  Marines who show maturity, professionalism, and the highest technical and tactical proficiency might be chosen to increase the MCADT throughout the summer season competitors season. Summer season 
augments to the MCADT will additional compete in nationwide and inter-service matches from April by means of August 2026. The MCADT OIC will ship by-name invites from the MCADT Workforce Captain to the
Marine’s battalion / squadron / unit commanding officer (or OIC) and senior enlisted advisor. Size of TAD orders are negotiable between commanding officers / OICs however won’t exceed the fiscal yr. The
MCADT will fund Marines by way of a cross-organizational line of accounting from the MCADT. The MCADT will present extra detailed reporting directions as soon as a Marine is authorized to attend.
8.b.  Summer season augments to the MCADT could have the chance to attend accessible programs provided by WTBN-Quantico resembling further FPV and sUAS programs and have the potential to be recruited as
everlasting personnel to the MCADT.

9.  Command and Sign

9.a.  Command.  Relevant to the full power.

9.b.  Sign.  This message is efficient on the date signed.

10.  Launch licensed by Lieutenant Normal Benjamin T. Watson, Commanding Normal, Coaching and Schooling Command.//

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