Exclusive: U.S. Marines conduct precision strike test with SkyRaider drone armed with Mjolnir guided munition.

According to information published by the U.S. Department of Defense on July 9, 2025, the United States Marine Corps has conducted a historic live-fire demonstration at Camp Lejeune involving the R80D SkyRaider unmanned aircraft system (UAS) deploying a Mjölnir lethal payload. The test marks the first time a program-of-record UAS has delivered a live munition during a Marine Corps exercise, signaling a critical leap forward in the Corps’ drive to weaponize tactical drone platforms and reshape the modern battlefield.
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An R80D SkyRaider small unmanned aircraft system carries a Mjolnir munition during a combined arms live fire exercise performed by U.S. Marines at Camp Lejeune North Carolina, on July 3, 2025, demonstrating the use of aerial drones for precision strike against designated targets. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The R80D SkyRaider is a vertical takeoff and landing quadcopter developed by Teledyne FLIR and primarily used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. It features modular payload capability, autonomous flight systems, encrypted communications, and ruggedized construction for field deployment in austere or GPS-denied environments. While originally intended as a sensor platform, the SkyRaider's flexible payload architecture has enabled its evolution into a lethal platform with the integration of compact munitions like the Mjölnir, giving small units precision-strike capability in complex terrain.

The decision to integrate armed drones into frontline Marine Corps units has been heavily influenced by the operational realities witnessed in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Over the course of that war, both Ukrainian and Russian forces have demonstrated how small, inexpensive unmanned aerial systems can produce outsized battlefield effects. Commercial and military-grade drones have been used extensively for real-time targeting, surveillance, and direct strikes using improvised and precision-guided munitions. These drone operations have disabled armored vehicles, neutralized artillery, and executed targeted strikes against command positions with remarkable precision. Their use has also proven decisive in urban environments and trench warfare, where conventional weapons face limited maneuverability and greater risk of collateral damage.

Drawing from these real-world examples, the U.S. Marine Corps is accelerating the integration of lethal small UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) into its distributed operations model. The recent demonstration involved the SkyRaider and the Neros Archer drones working in coordination with traditional fire support assets, including 81mm mortars and the Javelin missile system, in a simulated company-level assault. The successful drop of the Mjölnir munition by the SkyRaider, followed by layered indirect fires, represents a strategic shift in how Marine infantry formations apply precision fires independently in austere environments.

The Mjölnir munition used in this test is a compact, precision-guided explosive device roughly the size of a soda can, engineered to deliver lethal effects with minimal risk to surrounding personnel or infrastructure. It carries a 500-gram explosive charge surrounded by ball bearings and can be configured for either point detonation or aerial burst, depending on the tactical requirement. Its most advanced feature is a LiDAR-based proximity sensing system that enhances its detonation timing and effectiveness.

LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, uses laser pulses to measure distances and build a precise model of the surrounding environment. When integrated into the Mjölnir, this technology enables the munition to assess its altitude and the contour of the terrain below in real-time as it falls toward the target. Based on this data, it calculates the optimal detonation point. For anti-personnel missions, the munition can detonate in mid-air to disperse its payload in a horizontal fragmentation pattern, maximizing area effects. For direct strikes on hardened or concealed targets, it can trigger upon contact to concentrate explosive energy downward. This level of controlled lethality is particularly valuable in urban combat, close-quarters engagements, or when operating near friendly forces or civilians.

The concept of pairing the SkyRaider with the Mjölnir munition originated during a School of Infantry Summit attended by Maj. Gen. Anthony Henderson, Commanding General of Training Command. Inspired by the technology’s potential, Maj. Jessica Del Castillo, Commanding Officer of the Small Unmanned Aircraft School (SUAS) at the Advanced Infantry Training Battalion (AITB), proposed the live munition integration as a tactical innovation. Her proposal was immediately endorsed by Henderson, who directed AITB to execute a live demonstration within sixty days. The result was a successful real-world test that has now opened the door to broader experimentation and possible fielding across infantry battalions.

From a tactical perspective, the Mjölnir munition enhances the firepower of dismounted units by enabling them to engage targets that were previously unreachable without artillery or air support. It gives Marines the ability to eliminate snipers, disable light vehicles, or destroy enemy strongpoints with speed and accuracy. The drone-based delivery method ensures low-signature engagement, minimal logistical footprint, and enhanced survivability for operators who can remain under cover during the strike.

This new capability aligns with the Marine Corps’ Force Design 2030 vision, which emphasizes mobility, distributed operations, and scalable lethality. As the service adapts to modern peer-threat environments, such as those witnessed in Ukraine, the use of smart munitions delivered by small drones will become a cornerstone of how Marines fight and win in future conflicts. The successful demonstration of the SkyRaider-Mjölnir pairing is not just a technological milestone, but a clear indication that the battlefield of tomorrow will be increasingly autonomous, networked, and precise.