US Marine Corps Tests FPV Drones in Australia

The US Marine Corps conducted a tactical training exercise at the Townsville Field Training Area in Australia to integrate first-person view (FPV) drones into combat maneuvers. Using the US-made Neros Archer drone, Marines practiced precision strikes against simulated enemy armored personnel carriers.

These small, expendable drones provide front-line commanders with immediate strike and reconnaissance capabilities, bypassing the longer wait times required for traditional artillery and air support. The Marine Corps intends to acquire 10,000 FPV-capable drones within one year to maintain a nimbler military footprint in the Indo-Pacific, specifically for the control of maritime chokepoints.

Neros, which holds contracts with both the Marine Corps and the US Army, intends to produce one million drones annually by 2028 at its California facility. The US Army has signed a contract with the manufacturer worth up to $500 million.