{"id":14583,"date":"2018-02-07T18:29:56","date_gmt":"2018-02-07T18:29:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/02\/07\/marines-pushing-quadcopters-and-video-game-warfighting-for-every-squad\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T20:35:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T20:35:42","slug":"marines-pushing-quadcopters-and-video-game-warfighting-for-every-squad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/news\/your-marine-corps\/2018\/02\/07\/marines-pushing-quadcopters-and-video-game-warfighting-for-every-squad\/","title":{"rendered":"Marines pushing quadcopters and \u2018video game warfighting\u2019 for every squad"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Marine Corps wants every squad to be equipped with new quadcopter tactical drones<\/a> \u2015 as it pushes high-tech, realistic video games for training. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The quadcopter plan has been in development for some time, and the equipment has slowly been doled out to Marine units deployed overseas. A nearly 300 Marine unit known as Task Force Southwest deployed to Helmand province, Afghanistan, last year with a small tactical drone called the Instant Eye<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the fall of 2016, Commandant Gen. Robert B. Neller<\/a> said at Marine Corps League\u2019s Modern Day Marine expo, \u201cAt the end of next year, my goal is every deployed Marine infantry squad has got their own quadcopter.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
A Marine with Task Force Southwest catches the Instant Eye small unmanned aerial system following a flight at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 8, 2017. The drone allows operators to record surveillance and execute reconnaissance in small, confined areas which are otherwise inoperable with larger aircraft. Approximately 300 Marines are assigned to Task Force Southwest, whose mission will be to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Army 215th Corps and 505th Zone National Police. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The issue was highlighted again this week at a drone expo held in National Harbor, Maryland. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey\u2019re going fast. We\u2019re talking about [sending] two hundred a month,\u201d said Lt. Gen. Robert Walsh, head of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Defense One<\/a> reported. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drones will also serve another purpose: pulling data to help map terrain that can be used to enhance combat simulators. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Corps then plans to put in place new realistic computer simulation games, called Tactical Decision Kits, in the barracks. <\/p>\n\n\n\t