The US Marine Corps has introduced a standardized training and certification framework aimed at rapidly expanding the number of warfighters qualified to operate small unmanned aerial systems, including first-person-view (FPV) attack drones. Developed by the Marine Corps Training and Education Command, the initiative establishes six pilot courses and eight certification tracks covering basic drone pilots, FPV attack operators, payload specialists, and instructors. The program is open across occupational specialties and supports both armed and unarmed drone operations. The effort aligns with the Pentagon’s broader plan to deploy tens of thousands of attack drones beginning in 2026, reflecting lessons drawn from recent conflicts where low-cost drones have reshaped battlefield dynamics. Seven organizations have been designated as regional training hubs, while Weapons Training Battalion at Marine Corps Base Quantico will serve as the interim central authority for standardization, safety, and certification. Early certifications conducted during Marine Expeditionary Unit exercises and competitive events in the US and Japan have already produced qualified instructors, payload specialists, and pilots. The Marine Corps expects hundreds more personnel to enter the pipeline in the coming months, with FPV attack drone capabilities scheduled to be fielded across infantry, reconnaissance, and littoral units by May 2026.
