The US Marines have a new tactic to tackle drones — just shoot them down
US Marines have begun training on a new drone countermeasures tactic – using traditional small arms to take out UAVs rather than relying on GPS or electromagnetic jamming
The United States Marine Corps is developing a new tactic to combat drones - eliminating them with standard-issue weapons. During a recent training exercise, the US Marines honed their skills in countering small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), often equipped with explosives or used for reconnaissance. The simulated threat involved well-trained drone pilots using realistic equipment, presenting a challenging target rather than an easy one.
The three-day event in Twentynine Palms, California, allowed Marines from the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions to practice C-sUAS (counter-small Unmanned Aerial Systems) tactics using firearms such as automatic rifles, shotguns, and grenade launchers. Realistic threat conditions included drones flying at over 90 miles per hour and approaching within 20 meters of the Marines.
The Marine Corps emphasized the importance of training with proficient, skilled pilots to provide a realistic understanding of the threat. Small unmanned aerial systems have become more prevalent due to the availability of off-the-shelf components and consumer drones, making them a growing concern in modern conflicts. Gunnery Sgt. Kevin Jares stated that the Marines are finding ways to counter this threat using the organic weapons of their squads and ensuring their survival in today's modern battlefield.
The successful training event will incorporate these tactics into future Service Level Training Exercises.
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