US Marine Corps to deploy three new types of loitering munitions into infantry battalions by early 2026.

As reported by National Defense on April 29, 2025, the U.S. Marine Corps is scheduled to receive the first units of its Organic Precision Fires-Light (OPF-L) loitering munitions in January 2026 for initial end-user evaluation. Two battalions will be equipped with the systems, which are intended to provide rifle squads and platoons with an individually operated, man-portable loitering munition capable of engaging beyond-line-of-sight targets. Full-scale fielding is expected to take place by the end of 2026. The systems are being developed under the OPF-L program, which is part of a broader initiative to provide organic precision strike capabilities at the small-unit level.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Loitering munitions are used to strike concealed or mobile targets with minimal exposure of higher-value platforms and may include capabilities such as real-time target identification, programmable flight paths, and abort or return-to-base procedures. (Picture source: US Marine Corps)

Three companies, AeroVironment, Anduril Industries, and Teledyne FLIR, were selected by the Department of Defense in April 2024 through an open competition from a group of eight vendors. Each company was awarded an initial contract under an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) agreement, with values of $8.9 million, $6.4 million, and $12 million respectively. The combined ceiling of the IDIQ contract is $249 million.

A loitering munition, also referred to as a suicide drone, kamikaze drone, or exploding drone, is a weapon system that basically combines features of a drone and a guided missile. It is typically designed to remain airborne for a period of time while searching for a target, then attack by crashing into the target and detonating an onboard warhead. These systems can be manually controlled or semi-autonomous and may be recoverable if the target is not engaged. Loitering munitions are used to strike concealed or mobile targets with minimal exposure of higher-value platforms and may include capabilities such as real-time target identification, programmable flight paths, and abort or return-to-base procedures. Some are designed for tactical deployment at the squad level and others for integration into larger vehicle or naval platforms.

Teledyne FLIR will deliver the first 127 OPF-L systems for testing and evaluation in the summer of 2025. Its system consists of a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) quadrotor drone platform designed to be recoverable and reusable. The company has indicated that the system has undergone testing against both mobile and stationary targets, including dismounted personnel and vehicles. The contract includes a five-year base period and a three-year option. Teledyne FLIR published a computer-generated image of its VTOL system, showing low-altitude flight operations in urban terrain. The design aims to operate within what has been described by the company as the “Atmospheric Littoral,” referring to low-altitude, unobstructed airspace used by tactical ground units.

Anduril Industries is also providing a VTOL solution with a quadrotor platform. According to the company, its system integrates previously tested technologies including tracking and guidance capabilities, return-to-base functionality, and terminal engagement features. Unlike its previous fixed-wing systems such as the Altius 700, which was selected by U.S. Special Operations Command for the Maritime Precision Engagement Munition program, Anduril’s OPF-L submission marks a shift toward rotor-based designs. The Marine Corps has stated that VTOL and fixed-wing platforms may be deployed in parallel, with no current plan for a down-select process, provided that all systems meet performance and certification requirements. A Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM) spokesperson stated that VTOL and fixed-wing loitering munitions are viewed as complementary capabilities and that the service is seeking non-developmental systems for qualification and testing during fiscal years 2024 and 2025.

AeroVironment will provide its Switchblade 300 Block 20 as a fixed-wing entry to the OPF-L program. The Block 20 model includes an Explosively Formed Penetrator (EFP) warhead for armor penetration, improved target attack angles, extended flight endurance, longer radio range, and increased battery life. The Switchblade 300 system has been in operational use since 2012. AeroVironment has stated that over 6,000 units have been produced and tested. The company confirmed its readiness to produce and deliver initial orders under the contract and to meet subsequent production demands. According to the firm, the Switchblade 300 is designed for launch from a tube and supports engagement of both static and moving targets beyond line of sight. The Marine Corps acquisition documentation calls for OPF-L systems that are man-portable and composed of the loitering munition, ground control station, training simulator, and associated equipment.

Three companies, AeroVironment, Anduril Industries, and Teledyne FLIR, were selected in April 2024 and awarded an initial contract under an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) agreement, valued at a total of $249 million. (Picture source: US Marine Corps)

According to Marine Corps statements during the April 2025 Modern Day Marine conference, the OPF-L program addresses the need for a responsive, squad-level precision strike capability. Maj. Gen. Farrell Sullivan noted that the initial two battalions will deploy with the systems as part of an end-user evaluation. Col. Sean Hoewing acknowledged that the service is behind in fielding uncrewed aerial systems but emphasized that industry is now responding to urgent requirements for organic precision fires. The Marine Corps has stated that the next steps involve clearly documenting requirements and ensuring that program offices are adequately resourced to deliver these systems. Col. Scott Cuomo noted that the service will require new military occupational specialties and unit formations to integrate these technologies, while Col. Erick Clark stated that the use of loitering munitions fits within existing Marine Corps combined arms practices. Marine officials have further emphasized that the systems will be distributed to smaller units to reduce dependence on external air support.

The OPF-L program is one component of the Marine Corps’ wider transformation under Force Design 2030. The 2023 annual update explicitly stated that the OPF program is progressing too slowly and directed the acceleration of procurement and training for both Infantry (OPF-I) and Mounted (OPF-M) variants. The Infantry Battalion Experimentation (IBX) effort included 13 force-on-force trials across multiple environments and led to a revised battalion structure increasing from 735 to 811 Marines. Changes included all-weather surveillance and additional anti-armor and indirect fire capabilities. The Corps mandated implementation of the new battalion structure by September 2023. For OPF-M, Mistral Inc. and UVision were selected in 2021 to integrate their Hero 120 system onto vehicles including the JLTV, Light Armored Vehicle-Medium, and the Long Range Uncrewed Surface Vessel. A 2019 Request for Information (RFI) indicated that the OPF-M was intended to expand indirect fire capacity and provide organic fires to maneuver units.

The Marine Corps’ official RFI for OPF-L, identified as M67854-22-I-1043, outlined detailed technical expectations. These include a minimum munition range of 10 kilometers, a total system weight under 55 pounds, and programmable behaviors such as mission abort, loss-of-link, and GPS-denied operation. Systems must provide loitering and strike capabilities against anti-personnel and anti-materiel targets, and integrate uplink/downlink communications, GPS guidance, and ground control stations with preflight and inflight programming functionality. Additional requirements include endurance metrics, system reliability, launch method, warhead type, camera and sensor capabilities, manufacturing readiness, and supply chain resilience. The RFI requested technical readiness level justification, unit cost estimates by component, and production scalability projections for fiscal years 2023–2028.

Officials such as Travis Bowden have acknowledged challenges in adapting commercial drone lessons from Ukraine to Marine expeditionary environments, citing battery storage on ships and climate variability as operational factors. (Picture source: US Marine Corps)

Recovery and reuse were identified as preferred but not mandatory features. Systems are expected to select safe ditch zones and include fail-safe procedures. Integration from Navy facilities, ships, and aircraft is part of the program’s goals. Marine Corps officials have also emphasized the need for electromagnetic resilience, mission planning autonomy, and supportability under expeditionary logistics constraints. Data collected from responses to the RFI have been used to inform acquisition strategies and future procurement planning.

In the broader context, the Marine Corps has conducted experiments with loitering munitions since at least 2018, when the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory tested a single operator managing six drones. Subsequent iterations explored expanding control to 15 drones per operator, combining kinetic and electronic warfare capabilities. In 2022, combat modeling conducted at the Naval Postgraduate School simulated a Marine company’s defense of an expeditionary base using OPF munitions. The analysis indicated that a minimum of 10 anti-armor OPF systems were required to engage an enemy mechanized company, with diminishing returns after 18 units. The study also found that early engagement with mixed munition types was more effective than synchronized mass fires. Under certain scenarios, platoons suffered over 30 percent casualties but remained capable of achieving their objectives. The modeling also revealed challenges in fire support deconfliction, identification of friendly and enemy UAS in congested airspace, and synchronization of effects. Javelin teams were particularly vulnerable due to proximity during operations. The study suggested that disaggregating anti-armor specialists could improve survivability.

The Marine Corps has also been exploring logistical applications of drones. The TRV-150C Tactical Resupply Unmanned Aircraft System can deliver 150-pound payloads over nine miles and has been fielded in limited numbers. Personnel from logistics units have been tasked with operating the drone, which has prompted new procedures for deconflicting airspace and addressing system repair in field conditions. Marine officials have noted that current systems for tracking unmanned and manned aircraft do not integrate effectively and highlighted the need for improved situational awareness tools. Repairs currently rely on contractor support, but training programs may eventually include in-unit repair capabilities such as motor replacements and micro-soldering.

As of early 2025, the Marine Corps plans to deploy OPF-L systems to squads by fiscal year 2027. Officials such as Travis Bowden have acknowledged challenges in adapting commercial drone lessons from Ukraine to Marine expeditionary environments, citing battery storage on ships and climate variability as operational factors. Bowden noted that logistical chains, weather conditions, and electromagnetic spectrum limitations may prevent large-scale swarming, though scalable deployment remains part of the long-term plan. He also emphasized that targeting, communications, and munitions development must progress concurrently to achieve fully integrated targeting processes at the squad level.