US Marine regiment tests JUMP 20-X drone paired with Switchblade loitering munition

Published Jul 27, 02:58 PM UTC

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.