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Loitering munitions

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Christian Gillham, a mortarman and team leader with 3rd Littoral Combat Team, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, flies a first-person view unmanned aircraft system for a long-range simulated strike during the Marine Corps Attack Drone Competition at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Aug. 11, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joshua Barker)

Marine Corps bets on techy, but human-centric ground warfare for next 15 years

The service released a new strategic blueprint called Ground Combat Element 2040.
Aug 27, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence
A JUMP 20-X is displayed prior to takeoff during a flight launch at Service Level Training Exercise 4-26 on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, July 16, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Alexis French)

Marine regiment tests AeroVironment’s JUMP 20-X system for the first time, but faces lack of Group 3 drone operators

The 2nd Marine Regiment relied on the system’s vendor to employ the drone because the unit lacked trained operators.
Jul 20, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence
A view of Atakule, one of the landmark buildings of Turkish capital, is illuminated ahead of the 36th NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government, in Ankara, Turkiye, on July 5, 2026. (Photo by Arman Onal/Anadolu via Getty Images)

NATO announces Protected Business Network contract with Accenture

Officials hailed the deal as a major step in the military alliance's digital transformation.
Jul 8, 2026 By Jon Harper
The Army Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Project Management Office, in collaboration with the U.S. Special Operations Command, executed a successful flight demonstration involving the first launch of the Air-Launched, Tube-Integrated Unmanned System (Altius) 700 air vehicle on Dec. 3, 2023, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. (Army photo by Daniel Henke)

SOCOM interested in developing long-range kamikaze drones

SOCOM is interested in air-launched, one-way-attack drones that have an extended range of at least 75 nautical miles, according to a new RFI.
Jun 30, 2026 By Mikayla Easley
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Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll and Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Randy A. George join “Fox and Friends” to discuss the new Department of Defense memorandum on Army transformation and acquisition reform, at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., May 1, 2025. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)

Army buys Red Dragon long-range attack drones

The service also awarded AeroVironment another contract for its P550 reconnaissance drone.
Mar 23, 2026 By Jon Harper
Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones seen positioned on the tarmac at a base in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) operating area, Nov. 23, 2025. The LUCAS platforms are part of a one-way attack drone squadron CENTCOM recently deployed to the Middle East to strengthen regional security and deterrence. (Courtesy Photo)

After first combat appearance, LUCAS drones ‘remain ready’ for future Epic Fury strikes against Iran

The one-way attack drones "remain ready for employment,” a U.S. Central Command spokesperson told DefenseScoop.
Mar 2, 2026 By Brandi Vincent
U.S. Soldiers from various units across Europe launch a Switchblade 600 during Loitering Munitions Training at the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Nov. 5, 2024. This was the first time U.S. Soldiers launched Switchblade 600s, a loitering munition system, in Europe. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Cody Nelson)

Army’s fiscal 2026 budget proposal aims to equip infantry brigades with more kamikaze drones

The request for additional loitering munitions comes as officials are undertaking a new Army Transformation Initiative to modernize the force for future high-tech combat.
Jun 27, 2025 By Jon Harper
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