Exclusive: U.S. Marines 22nd MEU conduct first use of JUMP 20 drone from amphibious warship for intelligence.

According to information published by the United States Marine Corps on June 13, 2025, the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) has achieved a critical milestone in modernizing its operational capabilities through the first-ever integration and flight of the JUMP 20 unmanned aerial system (UAS) aboard an amphibious warship. This breakthrough marks a pivotal moment in the MEU’s ongoing pre-deployment training, reinforcing its role as the nation’s foremost crisis response force and a key element in executing Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO).
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A Jump 20 group 3 Unmanned Aerial System conducts a flight to provide surveillance for maritime interception operations during Amphibious Ready Group Marine Expeditionary Unit exercise (ARGMEUEX), while underway in the Atlantic Ocean, May 15, 2025. (Picture source: U.S. Marine Corps)

The 22nd MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit) is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units maintained by the U.S. Marine Corps and operates as a forward-deployed, rapid-response force capable of conducting a full spectrum of military operations. Based at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, the MEU typically comprises about 2,200 Marines and sailors organized into a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). This force structure includes a command element, a ground combat element (battalion landing team), an aviation combat element (reinforced tiltrotor squadron), and a logistics combat element. The 22nd MEU routinely deploys as part of an Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), providing the United States with an immediate and flexible military option for crisis response, disaster relief, non-combatant evacuation operations, and limited contingency missions.

Developed by AeroVironment, the JUMP 20 is a Group 3 tactical unmanned aerial system designed to support multi-domain operations with high endurance and modular payload capacity. Featuring a wingspan of 5.5 meters, a length of 2.9 meters, and a maximum takeoff weight of approximately 97 kilograms, the UAS employs a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) configuration using four electric rotors for lift and a pusher propeller for forward flight. It does not require a runway, enabling launch and recovery from ship decks or confined land-based positions. The platform offers more than 13 hours of endurance and supports payloads up to 13.6 kilograms, making it capable of carrying a suite of sensors including electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) cameras, signals intelligence modules, and secure communications relays.

The integration of the JUMP 20 into the 22nd MEU’s operations significantly enhances its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. Unlike traditional manned ISR aircraft, which demand substantial logistical support and are more easily detected, the JUMP 20 provides a lower-profile, cost-effective alternative. Its persistent surveillance capability across extended operational areas allows the MEU commander to access real-time situational awareness with unprecedented speed and accuracy, directly contributing to operational success in complex littoral environments.

From a tactical standpoint, the JUMP 20 supports key doctrinal concepts such as Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) and Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO), which prioritize mobility, flexibility, and decentralized command. By acting as both an ISR asset and a communication relay, it ensures reliable command and control between dispersed Marine elements across vast and contested maritime domains. During ARGMEUEX, its deployment from an amphibious warship validated its ability to enhance targeting processes, identify and track hostile actors with precision, and conduct immediate battle damage assessments.

The platform’s EO/IR sensor payload allows for detailed surveillance in both day and night conditions, enabling precise targeting and mission planning. It also mitigates communication challenges by extending radio networks across degraded or denied environments, ensuring continued coordination among units operating across archipelagic or coastal terrain. This capability is crucial for maintaining tempo in dynamic operations where rapid maneuver and information dominance are critical.

The introduction of the JUMP 20 into the MEU's arsenal is not merely a technological enhancement but a strategic force enabler. It represents a clear realization of the Marine Corps Commandant’s vision for a more lethal, agile, and modernized force, capable of responding decisively in a rapidly evolving battlespace. As the 22nd MEU prepares for forward deployment, the JUMP 20 UAS stands as a key multiplier, offering an unmatched blend of endurance, versatility, and operational effectiveness tailored for the demands of 21st-century expeditionary warfare.