Sometimes, they get it right.

USMC brings sUAS/FPVs into the realm of the Competition in Arms Program

With MARADMIN 236/25, the Marine Corps announced the Marine Corps Attack Drone Competition. The competition focuses on sUAS and FPV(as they define them). Smartly, it provides for both Program of Record and Unit Obtained platforms.

MARADMIN 236/25

I have to complement the approach. From the Maradmin: “These
events will provide the opportunity to share lessons learned in
armed FPV tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) to FMF units to
maximize lethality and capabilities with these new systems.”

They add: “These events will also provide training and administrative support to
units who are in the process of establishing FPV drone programs”

The formal and informal refinement and development that competition like this offers is a gold mine. We have seen in other fields where practical competition creates a pressure to perform at a speed and precision not found outside of combat. Even then, the ability to push speed and accuracy of operation can be pushed to a greater edge in controlled competition settings. This can create a vital edge to be passed back to units before they go into combat. The training techniques that are developed in preparing for the competition are the real potential here. Learning the basics is one thing. Mastering the Basics at an incredible pace is quite another. ‘The fastest and bestest’ in competition will do well in combat (given scenarios that challenge the same skills). The refinements that come with focusing on what works at higher speeds of performance will provide a better baseline of performance across the force.

The competition also provides the potential for the accumulation of good data with respect to sUAS/FPV operation, employment, logistics, etc.. Learning to parse what data is relevant and sifting it for applicable information is going to sow great dividends. This will help in testing of prototypes alongside the Competition. Perhaps as the program matures, we see a Gran Prix Prototype competition alongside the stock/COTS program. We definitely will see DATA.

Some notes of caution:

First, the need for proficiency with sUAS/FPV across the force should be seen as ubiquitous. Is it? I have heard complaints that operators and equivalent are still too centralized or specialized (i.e. “‘X’ unit has all of those” and “LCpl Drone nerd is our drone nerd sir. Battalion is using him and our SkyDio to plus the -3 up for something. We don’t have anyone for our field op”, “The Attack Drone Team made Battalion give our Puma to 1/6”). I imagine that there is a grain of truth in those complaints.

If the Attack Drone Competition just becomes the equivalent of the National CrossFit games without broad interest at the squad / section level, the benefits will be marginal. The Service doesn’t want to wind up with a Drone King, some Bishops, and nothing else as it’s sUAS/FPV operator on the chess board. The value of a drone operator in today’s environment is essential. The Marine Corps should look at sUAS/COTS like Grenade Launchers and MachineGuns. Familiarity, much less proficiency should be as widespread.

Second, there should be play for a variety of factors. Plausible squad/section scenarios should be considered for problem sets. Competitors should be challenged through stage(s) that present operation from conditions that incorporate dynamic challenges with respect to the Competitors themselves (moving positions, mounted/mechanized) etc.

Third, solving range issues at scale to allow for the equivalent of practice and dry fire across the force should be a priority.

Sims are not the whole answer. This is a complex topic and the Attack Drone Competition offers a great venue to reduce the range Friction for sUAS/FPV live training.

Closing:

I don’t always like Big Green’s direction but when I do, it is something like this. This program adds so much and costs so little in terms of time and money. Nothing needs to be divested and the potential Return on Investment for the average individual Marine is tremendous. I am excited about this. Sometimes they get it right.