Stories - Tag SUAS

Marines aboard a UH-1Y Venom assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 169, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, toss a first person view unmanned aircraft system during an integration assessment exercise at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, May 13, 2026. - Marines aboard a UH-1Y Venom assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 169, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, toss a first person view unmanned aircraft system during an integration assessment exercise at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, May 13, 2026. The collaborative exercise allowed Marines to determine the feasibility of using FPV UAS from an aircraft and evaluate how to best integrate them to increase combat capabilities and lethality. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Symira Bostic)

H-1s Become Drone Control Platforms

In a significant leap forward for aerial warfare, the U.S. Marine Corps has successfully integrated its iconic H-1 helicopter fleet with advanced, low-cost drone technology, demonstrating a new and lethal capability for the modern battlefield. During a recent exercise, Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 169, Marine Air

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U.S. Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force prepare a first-person view small unmanned aircraft system during an FPV sUAS live fire demonstration at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 29, 2026. - U.S. Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force prepare a first-person view small unmanned aircraft system during an FPV sUAS live fire demonstration at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 29, 2026. I Marine Expeditionary Force, in partnership with Defense Innovation Unit, evaluated fiber-optic drones for use in signal-degraded environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joshua Bustamante)

I MEF Marines evaluate fiber-optic FPV drones during DIU challenge

U.S. Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force partnered with the Defense Innovation Unit and industry professionals, Jan. 27-29, 2026, to evaluate first-person view small unmanned aircraft systems that use fiber optic cables, marking the U.S. Marine Corps’ first field evaluation of the technology for sUAS employment in contested environments.

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U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Division watch a vendor loaned small unmanned aircraft system fly during Project G.I. at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 26, 2025. - U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Division watch a vendor loaned small unmanned aircraft system fly during Project G.I. at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 26, 2025. The Defense Innovation Unit’s Project G.I. Challenge brought together Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force, industry partners, and Department of Defense leaders to evaluate commercial sUAS, with Marine feedback shaping future procurement decisions and advancing modernization for contested environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Sawyer Carleton)

Marines test drone systems in Defense Innovation Unit challenge

Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force partnered with the Defense Innovation Unit and industry leaders during Phase 2 of the DIU’s G.I. Challenge, Aug. 18-29, 2025, to evaluate commercial small unmanned aircraft systems in realistic operational environments.

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