The U.S. Marine Corps has launched a bold new initiative, the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team (MCADT), to keep pace in a high-stakes drone arms race with global powers like Russia and China. Based at Quantico, Virginia, this unit is diving headfirst into the world of armed first-person view (FPV) drones, which pack squad-level lethality at ranges up to 20 kilometers for a mere $5,000 a pop. That’s a bargain compared to clunky, pricier weapons systems.

Why now? The battlefield is evolving fast. FPV drones are rewriting the rules of warfare, offering precision strikes and real-time intel at a fraction of the cost of traditional tech. Major Alejandro Tavizon, who’s steering the MCADT, says the goal is to arm Marines with agile, lethal tools to dominate the modern battlespace. These drones aren’t just gadgets—they’re game-changers, giving small units capabilities they’ve never had.

But here’s the rub: the U.S. is playing catch-up. Experts like Brett Velicovich, a seasoned Army vet, warn that America lags behind adversaries, especially China, which dominates global drone production. Ukraine’s war against Russia shows what’s possible—Kyiv’s churned out 1.5 million FPV drones in 2024 alone, obliterating tanks with dirt-cheap tech. Meanwhile, the U.S. can barely muster 100,000 drones a year. Russia’s not slacking either, with Putin boasting of 1.5 million drones delivered to his forces.

China’s shadow looms large. DJI, a Shenzhen-based giant, controls over 70% of the global drone market. That’s not just a business win—it’s a security threat. These drones could be feeding sensitive data straight to Beijing. Craig Singleton, a China expert, argues the U.S. needs to ramp up to at least 250,000 drones annually, focusing on smarter, resilient swarms to outpace China’s relentless innovation.

The Marines are gearing up for a showdown, literally. This summer, they’ll face off against the Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment at the Military Drone Crucible Championship in Florida, flexing their drone tactics in a high-pressure test of skill. It’s a glimpse into the future of war—one where agility, tech, and grit will decide who comes out on top.

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Marines Launch Attack Drone Team to Counter Russia, China in Global Arms Race