US Marine Corps to Equip Infantry with New Anti-Tank Attack Drones
- Marine Corps is preparing to field its first Organic Precision Fires-Light loitering munitions in January.
- Jay Bargeron, the director of strategy, plans, and policy for the Marine Corps, told reporters that the new systems will bring precision strike capabilities down to the lowest...
- The initial rollout targets infantry Marines whose core mission has traditionally involved destroying enemy armored vehicles using Javelin and TOW missiles.
The U.S. Marine Corps is preparing to field its first Organic Precision Fires-Light loitering munitions in January. The deployment gives anti-tank missile units a portable one-way attack drone capable of striking targets far beyond the reach of traditional direct-fire weapons, according to a top service official.
Marines Set to Deploy Loitering Munitions in January
Lt. Gen. Jay Bargeron, the director of strategy, plans, and policy for the Marine Corps, told reporters that the new systems will bring precision strike capabilities down to the lowest tactical levels. The deployment forms part of a broader force redesign aimed at preparing ground units for large-scale combat in the Pacific region, moving away from decades of counterinsurgency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Arming Infantry Units for Independent Strikes
The initial rollout targets infantry Marines whose core mission has traditionally involved destroying enemy armored vehicles using Javelin and TOW missiles. With the new loitering munitions, these units can independently locate and strike distant targets without calling in external support from artillery or nearby aircraft.
While the official job title for these troops remains unchanged, the Corps is referring to personnel with the added equipment as precision strike Marines. The tactical shift addresses modern battlefield conditions defined by widespread drone usage and disrupted communications.
Advancing to Medium-Range Capabilities
Complementing the lighter system, Marine Corps Systems Command has also opened industry outreach through a Request for White Paper for the Organic Precision Fires-Medium (OPF-M) program, with responses due May 26, according to procurement documents. The OPF-M effort targets a heavier anti-armor capability that can travel roughly 15 miles while remaining light enough for two dismounted Marines to carry.
According to Marine Corps Systems Command specifications, the OPF-M platform must stay airborne for at least 20 minutes, carry a payload capable of disabling armored vehicles, and weigh under 35 pounds, with a ground control unit capped at 20 pounds. The procurement guidelines mandate a Man in the Loop system, requiring human oversight for lethal strike decisions while utilizing automatic target tracking for moving objects.
The service has also explored future upgrades for the medium platform, including operations without GPS, frequency-hopping communications to resist jamming, and multi-mission payloads ranging from maritime targets to electronic warfare equipment.
Closing Tactical Gaps and Countering Drones
As offensive drone capabilities expand, the Marine Corps faces a corresponding defensive challenge in protecting ground units from enemy attack systems. Bargeron noted that defending the lowest echelon units against one-way attack drones remains one of the service’s most pressing tactical gaps.
To counter these threats, the service has already fielded the first 80 sets of an organic counter-small-drone system, with another 300 sets planned for deployment. This defensive equipment includes drone detection gear, electronic-warfare systems, and specialized ammunition that rifle squads can fire from standard-issue rifles.
Combatting Task Saturation at Twentynine Palms
The influx of new technology creates additional cognitive demands for infantry troops, a challenge Bargeron referred to as task saturation. To address the added responsibilities, the Corps is developing a new three-day counter-drone training course for rifle squads consisting of roughly a dozen infantry Marines at its combat training center in Twentynine Palms, California.