From Concept to Capability – Building an Organic FPV Strike Team in the Ground Combat Element (Part I)
LtCol John Dick
In today’s evolving battlespace, sensing alone is no longer sufficient. Distributed operations in a peer-threat environment demand that reconnaissance units organically close the kill chain with speed, precision, and autonomy. The current fires enterprise—limited by airspace, latency, or logistics—often cannot provide immediate effects at the platoon or squad level. As The CxFile’s article “Grounding Reconnaissance” observes, formations that cannot act decisively in contact risk obsolescence.
LAR units face a critical capability gap—not due to enemy action, but flawed assumptions. During Force Design implementation, 0341 Mortarmen were divested under the belief that the OPF-Mounted program would soon provide long-range precision fires. That program has since been canceled. Its successors, OPF-Light and Medium, are still in development and fielding to infantry battalions. In the meantime, LAR units are left cross-training 0313s or 0311s as ad hoc mortarmen, lacking the doctrinal depth or technical repetition to deliver effective fires. The result is not just a munitions gap—it’s a loss of combined arms at the tactical edge.
In response, 3d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion launched an FPV Hunter-Killer program in October 2024 in partnership with the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL). Unlike contractor-led efforts, this program was Marine-built and tactically grounded. The battalion developed its own FPV Training Plan, developed T&R tasks, and creating a simulation cell using COTS hardware—aligning with guidance from the draft 1st Marine Division sUAS & C-UAS Handbook, MCTOG armed drone pamphlet, MARADMIN 398/24, SUASMAN, BLUE UAS restrictions, and NAVMC 3500.107. This effort proved that Fleet Marines, when empowered, can generate lethal unmanned capabilities organically—without waiting for formal programs of record.
Like any Marine operation, we initiated a concept of operation with phases.
Phase I: Foundation and Familiarization
Phase I focused on building a technically sound, standards-based foundation for FPV operations. Marines from various MOSs—UAS operators, infantry, intelligence, communications, and engineers—were considered for aptitude and willingness to innovate. The 7316 UAS operators proved best suited for early certification due to their familiarity with Group 1/2 systems and airspace protocols. Their success established a model for broader MOS integration, ensuring the capability would be shared, not stove-piped. To meet the MARADMIN 398/24 requirement for vendor-certified training, two NCOs attended Tough Stump Group’s UAS course, which met CJCSI 3255.01 standards and laid the groundwork for internal SOP development.
In parallel with ongoing external coordination efforts, 3d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion will launch an internal training initiative to establish a sustainable, standards-based FPV sUAS program. This initiative will organically integrate low-cost, attritable aerial platforms into the battalion’s RSTA operations. Leveraging a systems approach to training (SAT) and a deliberate building-block methodology, Marines will progress through a structured continuum beginning with academic instruction and simulator-based familiarization, followed by manual flight training in both open and confined terrain, and culminating in tactical ISR employment in support of platoon-, company-, and battalion-level operations. To date, training has been limited to Marines certified through the Tough Stump Group course, while all other Marines have conducted simulation-based training and indoor low-cost micro drones flights. Using commercially available computer simulations, (that do not require internet connection) programs such as VelociDrone and Liftoff, they are actively developing flight fundamentals in a low-risk environment—refining throttle control, spatial orientation, and emergency maneuver recovery. Full-scale implementation will commence following the Neros Archer Mobile Training Team (MTT) event scheduled for 7–11 July 2025. At that point, Marines will transition from simulated environments to live system employment, applying foundational knowledge in system configuration, battery protocols, frequency management, and risk mitigation—aligned with SUASMAN, CNAF 3710.9, and other relevant guidance—to execute range-based operations aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) and develop integrated ISR and fires support capabilities.
Each operator will be required to complete a minimum of 20 logged simulator hours, demonstrate proficiency in designated flight gates from the 3d LAR FPV Training Plan—including two VLOS qualification flights and an emergency recovery drill—and exhibit technical competency in FPV-specific nomenclature, throttle modulation, and coordinated maneuver execution. These evaluations will be conducted by certified, vendor-authorized FPV instructors and will serve as the prerequisite for full certification. However, this initial certification will mark only the beginning. Following completion of the MTT event, the battalion will transition into advanced training modules focused on tactical integration, kinetic strike theory, target discrimination, and precision engagement. These post-certification efforts will operationalize the Neros Archer platform and formally embed it within the battalion’s RSTA and fires architecture. The ultimate objective is not merely to qualify individual drone pilots, but to establish a scalable, repeatable FPV training continuum that institutionalizes unmanned strike capability across the battalion’s mission-essential task set and enhances lethality at every echelon of maneuver.
Phase II: System Employment, Simulation-Based Proficiency, and Tactical TTP Development
Phase II, focused on live system employment and the development of tactical techniques, procedures, and simulation integration, was originally scheduled to begin immediately after Marines completed vendor-certified instruction with Tough Stump Group. However, despite successful course completion, the program stalled for nearly two months due to a lack of training hardware. As of December 2024, the battalion had not received the six Neros Archer drones coordinated through MCWL. Faced with an institutional procurement gap, the battalion began exploring internal purchasing solutions through Marine Corps channels. Drones ultimately arrived in late January, allowing Marines to transition into limited live flight operations, initially without inert payloads or tactical enablers.
Despite delays, the unit employed a systems approach to training to ensure continuity of learning and progression. Utilizing low-cost micro drones, Marines rehearsed flight profiles in constrained micro-terrain within a converted compartment of the battalion’s Supply warehouse. This allowed pilots to maintain proficiency and refine manual control skills while replicating the complexity of urban and wooded terrain environments. The deliberate use of SAT methodology, academic reinforcement, simulation continuation, skill sustainment, and tactical context, ensured that learning momentum was preserved despite equipment shortfalls.
Marines developed internal TTPs that emphasized team coordination, survivability, and autonomy. They incorporated launch and recovery procedures, mobile and static concealment using Ultra-Lightweight Camouflage Net System (ULCANS) and Noa Poncho System Kit, and coordinated handoff of targets during tactical scenarios. I worked with both 1st Marine Division Schools and MCTOG synchronizing the battalion’s finds into the draft division sUAS handbook and future Armed Drone Pamphlet.
The battalion’s operational requirement for a strike-capable FPV platform was time-sensitive, driven by an accelerated training timeline and the urgent need to fill a critical capability gap through the live-fire validation of emerging technologies. Although the initial Archer systems delivered by MCWL were configured to the Hotel variant and lacked kinetic employment capability, this did not constitute a failure. On the contrary, the Hotel configuration proved indispensable in early-stage training—enabling simulator-to-live transition, procedural development, and basic flight operations. They are a capable ISR platform (current Group 1 & 2 programs are more capable), it served as a vital steppingstone in the phased development of FPV capability. However, for any battalion seeking to conduct strike operations, the Hotel variant must be upgraded with the appropriate hardware and software to meet kinetic mission requirements.
Recognizing this, the battalion coordinated intensively with Neros Technologies to initiate a series of hardware and software upgrades. While input from Weapons Field Training Battalion and lessons learned from the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team (MCADT) informed the battalion's approach, differences in installation procedures and fiscal policies required us to develop an FMF-driven initiative. Through sustained collaboration—including software development, component sourcing, and persistent after-hours troubleshooting—three Archer systems were successfully upgraded from Hotel to fully strike-capable configurations. While the process was complex, it reflected the battalion’s adaptability and Neros’ responsiveness to Fleet requirements. Most importantly, it validated the Hotel variant’s role as a scalable, training-enabling platform essential for institutional readiness prior to the employment of precision lethality.
Phase III: Tactical Integration, Formal Certification, and Live-Strike Execution
In March 2025, after months of iterative development, 3d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion conducted a comprehensive assessment of its FPV program’s maturity and identified a tactical window in late June to execute a live-strike demonstration. This milestone event would serve not only to validate technical capability and tactical integration, but also to establish a professional model for FPV employment across the Fleet Marine Force.
In typical fashion, the battalion approached the planning effort with disciplined coordination across all warfighting functions. Battalion Operations worked closely with Range Control and MCAGCC range staff to ensure compliance with all safety protocols and live-fire procedures. The FPV Officer in Charge/ Program Manager maintained continuous communication with the system vendor to track hardware and software upgrade timelines, ensuring alignment between fielded capabilities and planned training events. Battalion Communications led the effort to navigate the ITPRAS approval process for digital components, addressing spectrum management and cyber compliance. Simultaneously, Battalion Supply managed the procurement of critical parts, batteries, and payloads to support both inert and kinetic configurations. This deliberate, cross-functional approach ensured all stakeholders advanced in parallel, allowing the battalion to meet its tight timeline and execute the FPV live-strike demonstration without delay.
The most enduring friction point during this phase was procurement. In March, I authorized the purchase of multiple payload variants, including two LED inert rounds, two pyrotechnic inert training payloads, two Terminus Kraken anti-personnel training rounds, and a long-range signal extender. Despite the urgency and low dollar value, the Government Commercial Purchase Card (GCPC) process proved laborious, constrained by archaic workflows involving PDF date mismatches, missing initial blocks, and rigid procurement categorizations. A key hurdle emerged when the nomenclature assigned to the inert pyrotechnic payload triggered classification as a DODIC-coded warhead—despite being an inert, non-energetic training round. This bureaucratic mislabeling halted the purchase for weeks. It was not until mid-May—after repeated staff actions and escalation—that the battalion received final approval. Marines drove directly to Neros headquarters, located less than two hours from Twentynine Palms, to retrieve the equipment in person.
Parallel to this effort in early June, the battalion certified one pilot in accordance with MARADMIN 398/24, overseen by a NEROs-certified Remote Pilot Evaluation Officer (RPEO). The evaluation process reflected aviation-grade standards and included:
Safe platform handling and pre-flight procedures
Delivery of a clear and tactically relevant mission brief and debrief
Demonstrated flight under realistic, degraded conditions
Terminal engagement on target with video-verified effects
Execution of abort, crash, and recovery procedures in accordance with SOP
This deliberate evaluation process ensured the pilot met doctrinal and technical thresholds before being certified for FPV strike operations, reinforcing a culture of standards and safety—rather than experimentation for its own sake.
Between 1–5 June, during a sustainment and validation exercise in Training Area Bullion, the unit identified unexpected Ground Control Station (GCS) signal degradation and GPS connectivity issues. Following consultation with Neros, it was determined that the GCS had not received a required firmware update. With the timeline tightening and risk aversion increasing among the staff, the battalion again leaned on its partnership with industry. Neros responded immediately, conducting the system upgrades and returning the system to full mission-capable status just one week prior to the live-strike.
On 25 June, the battalion executed the culminating event at Range 110/R110A, integrating air and ground assets in a complex tactical strike scenario. The FPV team successfully engaged a simulated enemy squad within a hardened position nearly 2,000 meters from the launch point. A Group 2 Stalker UAS, flying at altitudes between 1,500 and 2,000 feet AGL, provided real-time ISR and terminal target confirmation. A Group 1 SkyRaider maintained persistent visual contact, enabling post-strike battle damage assessment.
The strike validated full-spectrum battlefield integration:
ISR platforms provided pre-mission terrain analysis and pattern-of-life overlays
Communications maintained resilient downlink, mobile GCS connectivity, and team interoperability
Battalion C2 ensured command authority, risk management, and target clearance
Logistics delivered power management, range prep, and recovery sustainment
Executing a first-of-its-kind FPV strike demonstration within a Fleet Marine Force battalion brought with it both innovation and inevitable friction. While certain components, such as range coordination, proved less complex in our case, the uniqueness of each installation’s range control policies and approval mechanisms underscores that there is no universally applicable approach or common equipment baseline. Every unit will face distinct hurdles that defy one-size-fits-all solutions. Moreover, while the battalion ultimately achieved a live-fire strike capability, the staff often disagreed on the sequencing and now reflect that the progression may have moved too quickly raising questions about whether reaching that milestone came at the expense of deliberate, phased development. The episodic nature of our effort, while successful, highlighted the importance of deliberate sequencing. Skipping foundational steps in pursuit of rapid employment can erode the very structure we seek to build. Future FPV training and employment must follow a logical, standards-based progression that aligns training readiness with capability maturity. Our experience offers valuable lessons—not as a template for replication, but as a cautionary account of the pressures and trade-offs that come with being first.
The event was not only a tactical success but a demonstration of institutional professionalism. Every Marine involved operated with the understanding that this effort reflected not just capability development, but the credibility of the Fleet’s ability to innovate responsibly. By integrating doctrine, adhering to procurement standards, navigating policy, and meeting aviation-grade evaluation protocols, the battalion proved that FPV strike is no longer theoretical, it is executable, repeatable, and ready for scaled employment across the Ground Combat Element.
This article is only the beginning. In Part II, I will explore the institutional challenges, coordination requirements, and hidden costs behind building a truly integrated FPV program—from the deckplates up. I’ll detail the real-world friction encountered in establishing a simulation center, coordinating vendor-certified Mobile Training Teams, IT waivers, and attempting to navigate the labyrinth of DLA procurement, a process which, as of this writing, remains incomplete. If you’re a commander, staff officer, or innovator looking to bring FPV capability to your unit, your base, or your station, the second installment will offer the blueprint, and the hard truths, we’ve learned along the way. The drones may fly fast, but nothing in this process moved quickly… and some parts still haven’t landed (pun intended).
The battalion extends its sincere appreciation to the following individuals and organizations for their invaluable support and collaboration, which were essential to the success of this endeavor:
Gunner Ray Browne, 1st Marine Division
Maj Steven Atkinson, I MEF, G9
Col Scott Cuomo and the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team (MCADT), WFTB
Clayton Calk, Ross Pederson, William LaRose, and Reggie Ramos, Neros Technologies
Brian Davis, Kraken Kinetics
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) Staff
Lieutenant Colonel John Dick is the commanding officer of 3d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. He can be reached at john.dick@usmc.mil.
References:
**DRAFT** Marine Corps Tactics and Operations Group. Armed Drone Operations: MCTOG Pamphlet, Draft, 8 June 2025.
**DRAFT** 1st Marine Division, UAS & C-UAS Handbook
3d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. FPV Training Plan v4, 2025.
“Grounding Reconnaissance: Can Our Light Forces Fight?” The CxFile, Substack.
3d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, FPV 5-Day Course Syllabus, Internal Battalion Training Material.
CJCSI 3255.01, Joint Unmanned Aircraft Systems Minimum Training Standards.
CNAF M-3710.7, Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization Manual.
NAVMC 3500.107, UAS Training and Readiness Manual.
MARADMIN 398/24 Blue Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Procurement and Training
LtCol Dick out here just solving our problems for us! I can't imagine why every BN CMDR and Gunner wouldn't copy and paste as much of this as possible, respective to their unique situations/institutions. Absolutely no one is surprised that: Marines, NOT contractors solved this problem, the government procurement process is a bureaucratic labyrinth leading to the seventh circle of hell, there were a ton of impediments to success and refusing to accept "We can't do this" got 3d LAR (and the Marine Corps) a big win, and of course this was done out here in beautiful MCAGCC, so accept those orders out here and stop making excuses.
Drones should be classified as ammunition, which they are, completely expendable as indeed they will be expended. Our problem is logistics, everything else is far less important.