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11. August 2025
Marine Corps Unveils Cutting-Edge Long-Range Drone Tech
The US Marine Corps has been testing long-range Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) as part of its efforts to enhance future operations. The recent two-week technical demonstration in Chaptico, Maryland, brought together five vendors to showcase their Group 2 UAS systems, which are designed for tactical operations.
The event was organized by the Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems (PMA-263) program team, with the goal of evaluating the performance of these systems against specific requirements. The PMA-263 program is responsible for developing and acquiring unmanned aircraft systems for the Marine Corps.
Five vendors participated in the demonstration, each showcasing their unique capabilities and features. These vendors included AeroVironment, Kraus-Hamdani, Aurora, Edge Autonomy, and Vector Longbow. All of these systems are fixed-wing, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) Group 2 UAS, which are designed for tactical operations.
The demonstration was a crucial step in the evaluation process, as it allowed the Marine Corps to assess the performance of each system in a real-world setting. The vendors were required to meet specific requirements, including ease of operation, audibility, range, and endurance while carrying the maximum payload requirement of seven pounds.
To ensure that the systems met the required standards, the University of Maryland (UMD) UAS test site was involved in the evaluation process. The UMD team is comprised of experienced drone pilots who have also served in the military. They played a critical role in evaluating each system against a standard test card and collecting performance data.
“We’re excited to be part of this program,” said Jim Alexander, the program director at the University of Maryland and an expert in UAS testing. “Our job is to serve as an impartial third party, but we also get to learn new systems and help the Navy collect data quickly.”
The demonstration provided an opportunity for the Marine Corps to engage with the participating companies and observe their flight demonstrations. Olivia Douglass, the PMA-263 FoSUAS Integrated Product Team lead, emphasized the importance of this event.
“Flight demonstration events like this are critical market research functions for the PMA,” she said. “They help us validate performance data reported by vendors and provide insights into how these systems can meet the requirements of the Marine Corps.”
The evaluation process is an ongoing one, with the PMA-263 team using the assessment data and observer feedback from the event to inform their priorities for follow-on engineering assessments and potential operational testing. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the selected UAS system meets the needs of the Marine Corps and provides a reliable and effective solution for future operations.
The importance of UAS in military operations cannot be overstated. These systems offer a range of benefits, including enhanced situational awareness, improved reconnaissance capabilities, and reduced risk to personnel. However, they also present unique challenges, such as ensuring safety and security during operation and addressing concerns around data protection and cybersecurity.
As the Marine Corps continues to evaluate and select UAS systems for its needs, it is essential that the vendors prioritize end-user requirements and strive to improve their systems accordingly. By doing so, they can ensure that the selected system meets the needs of the Marine Corps and provides a reliable and effective solution for future operations.
The PMA-263 team also conducted a thorough assessment of each system’s performance data, including ease of operation, audibility, range, and endurance while carrying the maximum payload requirement. The results of this evaluation will be used to inform the program’s priorities for follow-on engineering assessments and potential operational testing.
Cost, maintenance requirements, and integration with existing systems are also critical factors in the selection process. As such, the PMA-263 team worked closely with the vendors to understand their systems’ capabilities and limitations and to determine which systems best meet the Marine Corps’ needs.
The long-range UAS testing event in Chaptico, Maryland, was a significant step forward for the Marine Corps in its efforts to develop and acquire effective UAS systems. By evaluating the performance of five Group 2 UAS systems, the PMA-263 team can make an informed decision about which system best meets the needs of the Marine Corps.
The involvement of the University of Maryland UAS test site in the evaluation process ensured that the systems were evaluated against a high standard and provided valuable insights into their capabilities and limitations. The demonstration also helped to build trust and understanding between the parties, which is essential for successful collaboration in the development and acquisition of complex systems like UAS.
As the PMA-263 team continues to evaluate UAS systems for the Marine Corps, prioritizing end-user requirements and striving to improve their systems accordingly will be crucial. By doing so, they can ensure that the selected system meets the needs of the Marine Corps and provides a reliable and effective solution for future operations in military operations.