U.S. Marines Train to Shoot Down Drones with Standard Weapons
The U.S. Marine Corps launched new service-level training at Twentynine Palms, California, teaching troops to counter small combat drones using standard infantry weapons like M27 rifles, shotguns, and grenade launchers, plus electronic anti-drone systems. The three-day exercise involved Marines from the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions, simulating drone threats from 20 meters. This initiative, part of the Pentagon’s $1.1 billion Drone Dominance program, was accelerated by the war in Ukraine, where drones have caused heavy casualties. The Corps also established a robotics integration group and stockpiled specialized ammunition.
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Marines train to shoot down combat drones with standard weapons
The Marine Corps introduced new service-level training to counter small combat drones using standard infantry weapons. A three-day event at Twentynine Palms, California, involved Marines from the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions practicing shooting down small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) with M27 rifles, M1014 shotguns, and M32A1/M320 grenade launchers, as well as electronic anti-drone weapons. The training, led by the Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group (TTECG), included simulated enemy drones at distances as close as 20 meters and speeds over 90 mph. The initiative is part of broader U.S. military efforts, influenced by the war in Ukraine, to counter drone threats. The Pentagon's Drone Dominance program, launched in December 2025, invests $1.1 billion in drone technology. The Marine Corps also established the Marine Corps Robotics Integration Group (MCRIG) to standardize drone training and began stockpiling specialized anti-drone ammunition that fragments in flight.
Marine Corps trains troops to shoot down combat drones with standard weapons
The Marine Corps has introduced new service-level training to teach Marines how to counter small combat drones using standard infantry weapons. The training began with a three-day event at Twentynine Palms, California, involving Marines from the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions. Participants engaged simulated enemy drones from as close as 20 meters using rifles (M27 IAR), shotguns (M1014), and grenade launchers (M32A1, M320), as well as electronic anti-drone weapons. The exercise, created by the Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group (TTECG), included house clearing and patrol exercises to test denial, detection, and defeat of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS). The training is part of broader U.S. military efforts accelerated by the war in Ukraine, where drones have become a dominant battlefield force. The Marine Corps has also established the Marine Corps Robotics Integration Group (MCRIG), begun stockpiling specialized anti-drone ammunition, and contracted for AI-enabled Bullfrog M240 machine guns to counter larger drones.
Marines train to shoot down combat drones with standard weapons
The Marine Corps has launched new service-level training to counter small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) using standard infantry weapons. A three-day event at Twentynine Palms, California, involved Marines from the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions practicing with M27 rifles, M1014 shotguns, and M32A1/M320 grenade launchers against simulated drones traveling over 90 mph from as close as 20 meters. The training, created by the Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group (TTECG), also included electronic anti-drone weapons, house clearing, and patrol exercises. This initiative follows the Pentagon's December 2025 Drone Dominance program, a $1.1 billion investment influenced by the war in Ukraine, where drones have caused 90% of Russian casualties. The Marine Corps has also established the Marine Corps Robotics Integration Group (MCRIG) to standardize training, stockpiled specialized fragmenting anti-drone ammunition, and contracted for the AI-enabled Bullfrog M240 to intercept larger drones. The training will continue at Twentynine Palms, with graduates expected to share skills with their home units.
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Marines train to shoot down combat drones with standard weapons
The Marine Corps has introduced new service-level training to counter small combat drones using standard infantry weapons. The training began with a three-day event at Twentynine Palms, California, where Marines from the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions practiced shooting down small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) with M27 rifles, M1014 shotguns, and M32A1/M320 grenade launchers, as well as electronic anti-drone weapons. The exercise included simulated enemy drones at speeds over 90 mph from distances as close as 20 meters. The training is part of a broader Pentagon effort, influenced by the war in Ukraine where drones have caused 90% of Russian casualties, to enhance drone capabilities and countermeasures. The Marine Corps also established the Marine Corps Robotics Integration Group and is stockpiling specialized anti-drone ammunition.
Marines train to shoot down combat drones with standard weapons
The Marine Corps has introduced new service-level training to teach Marines how to counter small combat drones using standard infantry weapons. The training began with a three-day event at Twentynine Palms, California, where Marines from the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions practiced shooting down small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) with M27 rifles, M1014 shotguns, and M32A1/M320 grenade launchers, as well as electronic anti-drone weapons. The exercise included simulated enemy drones at distances as close as 20 meters, reaching speeds over 90 mph. The training also involved house clearing and patrol exercises focused on denying, detecting, and defeating drones. This initiative follows the Pentagon's Drone Dominance program, influenced by the war in Ukraine where drones have caused 90% of Russian casualties. The Marine Corps has also established the Marine Corps Robotics Integration Group (MCRIG) to standardize drone training and has begun stockpiling specialized anti-drone ammunition that fragments in flight.
Marines train to shoot down combat drones with standard weapons
The Marine Corps has introduced new service-level training to counter small combat drones using standard infantry weapons. A three-day event at Twentynine Palms, California, involved Marines from the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions practicing shooting down small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) with M27 rifles, M1014 shotguns, and M32A1/M320 grenade launchers, as well as electronic anti-drone weapons. The training, led by the Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group, included live-fire exercises from 20 meters and patrol drills. This initiative follows the Pentagon's December 2025 Drone Dominance program, influenced by the war in Ukraine where drones have caused heavy Russian casualties. The Marine Corps has also established the Marine Corps Robotics Integration Group to standardize training, begun stockpiling fragmenting anti-drone ammunition, and contracted for AI-enabled Bullfrog M240 machine guns to intercept larger drones. The service plans to continue this training and have graduates share skills with their home units.