The U.S. Marine Corps set up an attack drone team earlier this year in response to rapid development of armed first-person perspectives (FPV) UAV Technology and tactics, glimpses of the evolving landscape of modern warfare and how to engage in future battles.

The Marine Corps Attack UAV (MCADT) will be weapons training camp at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia.

The FPV drone used will provide squad lethality, up to 20 kilometers, nearly 12.5 miles, and priced under $5,000, while the more expensive weapon systems have smaller functions and less functionality, According to the press release From the service.

“MCADT is committed to rapidly integrating armed first-person perspective drones into the FMF (Fleet Navy Force), enhancing the lethality of small units and providing the organic capabilities currently lacking in the war,” said Major Alejandro Tavizon, the company commander in charge of MCADT’s weapons training Battalion and MCADT’s weapons training.

“By leveraging emerging technologies and refining drone employment strategies, we are ensuring that the Marines remain agile, adaptable and deadly on the modern battlefield.”

Brett Velicovich, an army veteran with a rich drone experience, told Fox News Digital that McAd’s creation is overdue as the United States competes with rivals such as China, Russia and Iran.

“For some time, we haven’t had the expertise needed for the technology, low-cost, highly scalable, deadly drone technology, and frankly, it will be the next part of the next war we fight,” he said.

Velicovich believes that when producing drone technology, the United States lags far behind other countries, especially China, and needs to start looking at drones, not just surveillance assets, but as a form of ammunition.

He noted that Russia's massive advances in Ukraine's war and domestic drone production have allowed Ukrainian troops to hit millions of dollars in enemy tanks and vehicles with hundreds of dollars in drones.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rust Umerov announced in December Ukraine has produced more than 1.5 million FPV drones in 2024, including reconnaissance, Kamikaz and long-range deep strike drones. Domestic production of drones accounts for 96.2% of all drones used by Ukrainian forces in the year.

Velicovich told Fox News Digital: "Your company and manufacturing plant has 100,000 drones built every month. A manufacturing plant builds 100,000 things a month. That's the real scale. That's where we need it."

WSJ cited an estimate from a Ministry of Defense and reported The United States has the capability Up to 100,000 drones per year.

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This figure is much lower than the rivals that U.S. opponents such as Russia and China have produced in a year, which has attracted national security concerns.

Speaking at the Military Industry Commission meeting in late April, Russian President Vladimir Putin said nearly all of the country's defense companies reached the order last year, highlighting Moscow's efforts to strengthen the war machine.

"More than 1.5 million drones of all types have been delivered, and about 4,000 so-called FPV drones are equipped with virtual reality control systems provided to the frontline every day," Putin said. According to transcript Published by the Kremlin. "I know, like many of you, these weapons are still lacking in supply. We need more weapons."

Chinese technology company DJI also plays a significant role in drone production in the U.S. and Asian markets. It boasts itself As the world's leading consumer and commercial drone manufacturer.

Craig Singleton, a senior China researcher at the non-partisan Defense Foundation, told Fox News Digital that the Shenzhen-based company dominates the global drone market, controlling more than 70% of global market share.

“It’s shocking because the DJI drone is essentially Beijing data collector - Enable China to potentially access sensitive infrastructure images, flight modes, etc. This is not only a market share issue, but also a national security threat. ”

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Singleton added that the U.S. does not need to match the Chinese drones in the drones, but it needs sustainable production floors, with at least about 250,000 drones a year.

"We are definitely in a drone arms race with China, and failure is not an option. Success will depend on expanding production, protecting sensitive supply chains and turbocharged innovation," he said. "It's not just about building drones - it's about sending out smarter, cheaper, and more resilient groups faster than Beijing."

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The National Drone Association will host the Military Drone Crucible Championship in Florida later this summer, with the Marines and the Army's 75th Rangers competing for their drone skills and tactics in modern combat.