U.S. Marine Corps to Equip All Units with Counter-Drone Systems in 2025 to Meet Rising Global Threats.

According to a statement published on April 9, 2025, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that the United States Marine Corps will deploy dismounted counter-small Unmanned Aircraft System (C-sUAS) capabilities across the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) throughout the year. This initiative marks a pivotal evolution in the Corps’ defensive posture, driven by the rapid proliferation of small, agile, and low-cost drones employed by adversaries for reconnaissance, surveillance, and kinetic strikes in conflicts around the globe.
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Earlier this year, the U.S. Army's Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) served as the setting for a week-long counter-small unmanned aerial system (C-sUAS) demonstration, showcasing the latest advanced technologies designed to detect, intercept, and neutralize hostile drones. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The dismounted C-sUAS (Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft System) systems being fielded in 2025 are designed to address the vulnerabilities of distributed forces operating in contested environments. These systems will enable Marines to detect, track, identify, and neutralize hostile drones using a blend of kinetic and non-kinetic countermeasures. Crucially, they are engineered to be lightweight, easy to use, and military occupational specialty (MOS) agnostic—ensuring every Marine, regardless of role or training level, can effectively operate the system with minimal instruction.

Among the recent counter-UAS programs and technologies being adopted by the Marine Corps is the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS), a mobile platform mounted on Joint Light Tactical Vehicles. MADIS offers a layered defense capability against small drones, helicopters, and other low-flying threats, and is already proving vital for defending mobile units and static positions. Complementing MADIS is the Epirus Leonidas, a cutting-edge high-power microwave system capable of disabling multiple unmanned aerial vehicles simultaneously. This technology is especially relevant as adversaries increasingly deploy drone swarms—posing a complex threat that demands scalable, high-impact responses.

For dismounted forces, the Marine Corps is now introducing handheld counter-drone devices, compact systems specifically designed for frontline use. These tools provide individual Marines or small units the ability to disrupt or disable enemy drones during patrols or while securing defensive positions. These devices have been lauded for their portability and simplicity, allowing for rapid fielding and operational integration without removing Marines from their core mission responsibilities.

The urgency behind these deployments has been amplified by the role of drones in recent global conflicts. In Ukraine, drones have fundamentally reshaped the modern battlefield. Both Russian and Ukrainian forces have used small UAS to devastating effect, with drones responsible for a significant proportion of casualties and damage. Their application ranges from artillery spotting to direct attacks using first-person-view (FPV) kamikaze drones. The scale and frequency of drone use have underscored the critical need for comprehensive, flexible counter-UAS strategies.

In the Middle East, rising tensions have led to an escalation in drone and missile activity, particularly from Iranian-aligned forces. In response, the U.S. military has repositioned a Patriot missile defense battalion from the Indo-Pacific to the region, reinforcing its layered defense posture. While high-end systems like Patriot remain essential for intercepting ballistic and cruise missile threats, the drone threat requires more agile, scalable solutions that can be employed at the tactical level—further justifying the Marine Corps' emphasis on dismounted and unit-level counter-drone capabilities.

Recognizing that technology alone is not enough, the Marine Corps is also adapting its training and operational doctrines to ensure effectiveness against evolving threats. The Corps is placing a renewed emphasis on air defense training for all Marines, integrating counter-UAS tactics into standard operating procedures. Marines are being trained to identify, report, and react to drone incursions in real-time, reflecting the increased likelihood of encountering UAS in every operational theater.

Furthermore, the Corps acknowledges that future warfare will demand a higher degree of technological proficiency among its personnel. As battlefields become more saturated with sensors, drones, and electronic warfare tools, Marines must be equipped to operate in digitally contested environments, where constant surveillance and rapid technological adaptation are the norm.

Through the deployment of advanced counter-drone systems like MADIS, Epirus Leonidas, and handheld disruptors, coupled with revamped training and doctrine, the U.S. Marine Corps is positioning itself to maintain operational superiority in a drone-dominated threat environment. This comprehensive approach ensures that Marines remain protected, lethal, and mission-ready—regardless of the battlefield they face.