Corps seeks ‘buckshot-like’ counter-drone gear

The Marines are on the lookout for weapons-mounted gear and ammo that may detect and blast drones out of the sky with “buckshot-like” functionality.

Marine Corps Methods Command posted a request for data from trade on July 15 looking for white papers on how builders would supply sensing, detection, defensive and offensive methods to counter drone threats on the Marine squad and platoon-level.

A Marine squad is without doubt one of the service’s smallest models of motion and incorporates between 13 and 15 Marines relying on manning. A standard Marine Corps platoon holds as much as three squads.

In February, the Corps started the seek for counter drone tech to defend installations, in response to a service solicitation. That gear would additionally enable operators to jam drones and seize them with out destroying them.

Trade submissions are anticipated by August 2 and people chosen for consideration might get an invitation to Marine Corps Air Floor Fight Heart, Twentynine Palms, California for a September stay fireplace demonstration, in response to the solicitation.

The service has been utilizing the Gentle Marine Air-Protection Built-in System, or L-MADIS, which makes use of two all-terrain automobiles that mix jamming expertise and conventional firepower, corresponding to Stinger missiles, to take out drones.

However each of these options are for bigger threats and have to be both vehicle-mounted or stationary.

The squad and platoon-level Marines want to hold their very own gadgets to detect, defeat and destroy group 1 and a couple of drones. Group 1 drones weigh as much as 20 kilos and fly below 1,200 ft.

Group 2 drones weigh between 21 and 55 kilos and might fly as excessive as 3,500 ft.

The brand new functionality that the Corps needs would come with detecting and monitoring gear that makes use of acoustic or radio frequency detection, in response to the solicitation. These sensors could be worn by particular person Marines and will have a handheld pill, bracelet, earpiece or glasses “that receives alerts, warnings, notifications from an exterior sensor.”

The identical functionality on the platoon degree might be car, mast or tripod mounted, in response to the solicitation.

On the offensive aspect of the counter-drone tech, the Marines need this particular person piece of kit to have both directional radio frequency or world positioning system jammers that may mount to a rifle.

However to destroy the risk at each the squad and platoon degree, they’re on the lookout for a rifle and rifle optic mixture that may monitor the drone and use “enhanced ammunition” for weapons already of their stock, to incorporate “buckshot-like” 5.56mm, 7.62mm, .50 caliber and 40mm grenade launchers.

Weapons that use these ammunition configurations embody the M72 Infantry Computerized Rifle, the M240 machine gun, the M2 machine gun and the M320 and M32 grenade launcher and Mk 19 automated grenade launcher.