U.S. Marine Corps Tests Long-Range Drone Strike Capability at Twentynine Palms
In July 2026, the U.S. Marine Corps' 2nd Marine Regiment conducted a regimental-level test at Twentynine Palms, California, pairing AeroVironment's JUMP 20-X Group 3 drone with the Switchblade 300 Block 20 loitering munition. The drone, capable of 12-hour flight, launched the Switchblade to strike a target over 15 miles away. The test marks the first regimental assessment of Group 3 UAS, providing long-range reconnaissance and strike capabilities beyond current short-range Group 1 drones. AeroVironment personnel operated the drone due to a lack of trained Marine operators. The exercise coincides with the Marine Corps' creation of a new small drone training unit.
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Marine regiment tests longer-range drone capability
The U.S. Marine Corps conducted a regimental-level test in July 2026 at Twentynine Palms, California, pairing AeroVironment's JUMP 20-X medium-sized drone with the Switchblade 300 Block 20 loitering munition. The JUMP 20-X, a Group 3 drone capable of 12-hour flight and 30-pound payload, launched the Switchblade to strike a target over 15 miles away. This experiment aims to provide ground commanders with long-range reconnaissance and strike capabilities beyond the short-range Group 1 drones currently used by regiments. The test was conducted by 2nd Marine Regiment, with AeroVironment personnel flying the drone due to a lack of trained Marine operators. The exercise coincides with the Marine Corps' creation of a new small drone training unit, highlighting the growing role of drones in modern warfare.
Marine regiment tests longer-range drone capability with JUMP 20-X and Switchblade
The U.S. Marine Corps conducted a regimental-level test in July 2026 at Twentynine Palms, California, pairing AeroVironment's JUMP 20-X Group 3 drone with the Switchblade 300 Block 20 loitering munition. The JUMP 20-X, capable of 12-hour flight and 30-pound payload, launched the Switchblade to strike a target over 15 miles away. This experiment aims to give ground commanders long-range reconnaissance and strike capabilities beyond the short-range Group 1 drones currently used by regiments. The test was the first of its kind for a conventional regiment, which typically lacks access to Group 5 assets like MQ-9s flown by Marine UAV squadrons. AeroVironment personnel operated the drone as the unit lacks trained Group 3 pilots. The test coincides with the Marine Corps' creation of a new small drone training unit, highlighting drones' growing role in modern warfare.
Marine regiment tests longer-range drone capability
The U.S. Marine Corps conducted a regimental-level test in July 2026 at Twentynine Palms, California, pairing AeroVironment's JUMP 20-X medium-sized drone with the Switchblade 300 Block 20 loitering munition. The JUMP 20-X, a Group 3 drone capable of 12-hour flight and 30-pound payload, launched the Switchblade to strike a target over 15 miles away. This experiment aimed to provide ground commanders with long-range reconnaissance and strike capabilities beyond the short-range Group 1 drones currently used by regiments. AeroVironment personnel flew the drone as Marines observed, since the unit lacks trained Group 3 operators. The test coincides with the Marine Corps' creation of a new small drone training unit, highlighting the growing role of drones in modern warfare.
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Marine Regiment Tests Longer-Range Drone Capability with JUMP 20-X and Switchblade
The U.S. Marine Corps' 2nd Marine Regiment conducted a training exercise in Twentynine Palms, California, testing a new long-range reconnaissance and strike capability. They paired AeroVironment's JUMP 20-X, a Group 3 medium-sized drone capable of 12-hour flight and 30-pound payload, with the Switchblade 300 Block 20 loitering munition. The Switchblade successfully struck a target over 15 miles away. This marks the first regimental-level assessment of Group 3 UAS capabilities, as regiments currently only field short-range Group 1 drones with 30-90 minute flight times. AeroVironment personnel flew the drone because Marines are not yet trained on Group 3 systems. The test comes alongside the Marine Corps' creation of a new small drone training unit, highlighting the growing role of drones in modern warfare.
Marine regiment tests longer-range drone capability
The U.S. Marine Corps conducted a test in July 2026 at Twentynine Palms, California, where the 2nd Marine Regiment paired AeroVironment's JUMP 20-X medium-sized drone with the Switchblade 300 Block 20 loitering munition. This was the first regimental-level assessment of Group 3 unmanned aircraft systems, giving ground commanders long-range reconnaissance and strike capabilities beyond the short-range Group 1 drones currently used. The JUMP 20-X can stay airborne for up to 12 hours and carry a 30-pound payload. During the test, it launched a Switchblade that struck a target more than 15 miles away. AeroVironment personnel flew the drone as Marines observed, since the unit lacks trained Group 3 drone operators. The experiment coincides with the Marine Corps' creation of a new small drone training unit, highlighting the growing role of drones in modern warfare.