U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Allen Steele III, a light armored reconnaissance master gunner with LAR Company F, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, conduct a kinetic strike rehearsal during the Marine Corps Attack Drone Competition at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Aug. 13, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joshua Barker)
Defense officials have touted competitions as a way to test new systems, share tactics across the force, identify talent and grow an institutional focus toward small drones…