US Tests New FPV Drones for Marine Corps

The US Marine Corps has evaluated several prototype FPV drones in collaboration with the Defense Innovation Unit and industry partners during the DIU GI Challenge.

The event tested commercial small unmanned aircraft systems under real operational conditions.

Training included four days of familiarization followed by six days of demonstrations across different scenarios.

Test results will directly inform future Department of Defense procurement decisions.

“Participation in the GI Challenge puts our Marines at the center of developing new capabilities. Their experience, combined with innovations from industry partners, is shaping the next generation of unmanned systems,” Brig. Gen. Michael Nakonechny noted.

Marines assessed drones on setup simplicity, deployment speed, weather resistance, payload capacity, and performance across diverse terrains and climates.

“Robotics is changing the battlefield, and FPV drones have become some of the most lethal and destructive weapons in the world,” Maj. Steven Atkinson said.

Drone selection

The trials are the second phase of a three-step competitive process. The first phase reviewed vendor proposals to identify the most promising systems for field testing.

During the second phase, selected manufacturers brought their drones to Marine Corps Base Camp for hands-on evaluation. A final round will determine which systems are purchased, with winning platforms expected to be added to the DoD’s UAV Blue List by March 15, 2026.

“Such procedures ensure our Marines receive the best tools for future conflicts,” the Corps stated.

This year, the Marine Corps formed its first unit of strike drones.