R 191808Z MAY 25
MARADMIN 235/25
MSGID/GENADMIN/CG TECOM QUANTICO VA//
SUBJ/ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MARINE CORPS ATTACK DRONE TEAM (MCADT)//
REF/A/CNAF 3710.9/1 SEP 2021//
REF/B/MCO 3591.2L/3 DEC 2024//
REF/C/MARADMIN 284/24
REF/D/MARADMIN 398/24
NARR/REF A IS GROUP 1 AND GROUP 2 NAVAL AVIATION TRAINING AND
OPERATIONS PROCEDURES STANDARDIZATION.  REF B IS MCO 3591.2L THE
MARINE CORPS COMPETITION IN ARMS PROGRAM.  REF C IS CLARIFICATION
OF GROUP 1 AND 2 UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UAS) POLICY FOR THE
OPERATION OF USMC SMALL UAS (sUAS).  REF D IS BLUE UAS PROCUREMENT
AND TRAINING//
POC/HUYSMAN, B.P./COL/TRNGCMD G-3/TEL: DSN 378-2196/
COMM: (703) 432-2196//
POC/CUOMO, S.A /COL/CO WTBN/TEL: DSN 784-5084/COMM: (703) 784-5084//
POC/TAVIZON, A.P./MAJ/OIC MCADT/TEL: DSN 278-5226/
COMM: (703) 784-5226// 
GENTEXT/REMARKS/ 1.  Purpose.  To announce the creation of the
Marine Corps Attack Drone Team (MCADT).
2.  Situation.  On 3 January 2025, the Commanding Generals of
Training Command (TRNGCMD) and the Marine Corps Warfighting
Laboratory (MCWL) established the MCADT to address the rapid
proliferation of armed First Person View (FPV) drone technology and
tactics, which have been proven in conflicts worldwide, particularly
in Eastern Europe. These developments are transforming warfare with
unprecedented lethality and hit ratios. As the Designated Approval
Authority (DAA), CG TRNGCMD has designated the Commanding Officer
(CO) of Weapons Training Battalion-Quantico (WTBn-Quantico) as the
Aircraft Reporting Custodian (ARC) to oversee all MCADT-related
activities in accordance with references (b) and (d). The MCADT’s
placement at WTBn-Quantico leverages 124 years of precision 
weapons expertise from the Marine Corps Shooting Team and the WTBn
-Quantico Precision Weapons Section (PWS). The MCADT will focus on
identifying and disseminating lessons learned to inform updates to
Service-level requirements, training, and doctrine, enabling rapid
deployment of armed FPV drone capabilities across the FMF.
Additionally, the MCADT will deliver intermediate and advanced armed
FPV drone training to the FMF and Total Force through the
Competition-in-Arms Program (CIAP), following reference (b).
3.  Mission.  Through aggressive training and experimentation and by
representing the Marine Corps in inter-service, national, and
international competitions, the MCADT will rapidly accelerate armed
FPV drone lessons learned from modern combat to increase our Corps’
warfighting advantage. The MCADT will provide regular input to 
Service-level requirements and deliver intermediate and advanced
armed FPV drone skills to the Total Force via the CIAP to
increase individual and unit lethality.
4.  Execution
4.a.  Commander’s Intent
4.a.1.  Purpose.  To increase our Corps’ lethality through the
use of armed FPV drones.
4.a.2.  Method.  The MCADT will refine armed FPV drone tactics,
techniques, and procedures (TTP) through continuous training,
experimentation, and competition, driving service requirements and
enhancing battlefield capabilities for Marines. The MCADT will 
regularly share lessons learned with HQMC and the Total Force, 
integrating new Marines to expand expertise across the Service.
4.a.3.  Endstate.  The MCADT captures the most innovative armed
FPV drone technological solutions, TTPs from across the joint force,
allies and partners, and industry; disseminates those insights and
lessons learned across the Total Force; and informs Marine Corps
requirements, investment priorities and acquisition decisions to
maximize our Marines’ lethality and warfighting advantage.
4.b. Concept of Operations.  The MCADT is a collaborative effort
between Training Command/WTBn-Quantico and MCWL, supported by the
FMF and joint force. Initially task-organized within existing 
FY25 resources, it will be assessed for potential transition to
permanent structure. The MCADT develops and sustains armed FPV drone
expertise through top-tier inter-service, international, and
civilian competitions, including Marine Corps annual marksmanship
events starting in FY26.
4.c.  Tasks
4.c.1.  CG TRNGCMD
4.c.1.a.  Serve as the MCADT DAA.
4.c.1.b.  Identify and allocate, as able, the resources
(e.g., staffing, equipment, and facilities) required to sustain
iterative improvement to program of record (POR) and non-POR drone
systems and inform Service capabilities, requirements, acquisition,
training, and doctrine.
4.c.1.c.  Support the MCADT competition to accelerate attack drone
capability development.
4.c.1.d.  Develop the Marine Corps attack drone competition plan,
aligned with the CIAP, to promote emerging battlefield technologies
and tactics.
4.c.2.  CG MCWL.  Support MCADT experimentation and iterative
improvement of POR and non-POR drone systems to inform Service
requirements, acquisition, training, and doctrine.
4.d.  Coordinating Instructions. The DAA and ARC will comply with
requirements as set forth in reference (c).
4.d.2.  The MCADT will receive advice and assistance from the
TECOM G-6 to ensure necessary coordination with FMF and local
installation frequency managers is completed in time to support
the incorporation of drone competitions in the FY26 CIAP.
4.d.3.  Director, Range and Training Programs Division (RTPD) will
coordinate with MCICOM to establish service-level conditions for
attack drone operations and training, including competitions
and simulations that enable realistic FMF training.
5.  Administration and Logistics
5.a.  The MCADT is authorized to utilize POR systems, non-POR
systems from the Blue List, and any National Defense Authorization
Act (NDAA) approved systems or parts for competition and
experimentation if approved in accordance with reference
(d) or other applicable policy.
5.b.  Per reference (d), utilization of the Intelligent Robotics
and Autonomous Systems (IRAS) SharePoint at https:(slash)(slash)
usmc.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/DCCDI/SitePages/DistroD/Intelligent
-Robotics-and-Autonomous-Systems.aspx will assist in the process
for purchase of Blue UAS in the Blue UAS Handbook.
6.  Command and Signal
6.a.  Command.  Commanding Officer, Weapons Training Battalion is
designated as the Captain of the MCADT and has the authority to 
establish rules and standards for Service competition in accordance
with the references.
6.b.  Signal.  This message is effective on the date signed.
7.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General Benjamin T. Watson,
Commanding General, Training and Education Command.//