Marines Test Custom-built Drone in Live Fire Test, Strike Unmanned Surface Vessel

The Marine Corps carried out its first live-fire drone strike against a maritime surface vessel last month during a trial in Japan as part of the service’s effort to advance its autonomous capabilities. Marines from the III Expeditionary Operations Training Group (III EOTG) and operators from Naval Special Warfare conducted the maritime drone strike from a Naval Special Warfare surface craft, taking out an unmanned surface vessel designed and built by the Marine team. The trial, held in Okinawa, Japan, in early March and announced by the service last week, marks the latest Marine Corps drone test this year. Three