Compass Points – Drones & JAWS

More drones on the way.

Compass Points – Drones & JAWS

More drones on the way.

February 17, 2024

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The Compass Points post of February 13, 2024 – “Drones Overhead” discussed the proliferation of drones and counter-drone technologies. The post concluded:

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The next war will not be how we expect it to be. It will not be where we expect to be, or against who we think it will be. While the next war will be different, still, the next war will not be solely a deep drone battle that can be fought safely from a keyboard and screen. Part of the next war will be up close and bloody. The next war, once again, will require a substantial infantry force. When the crisis erupts, some of the infantry force must be capable, flexible, and fast -- they must be able to get to the crisis quickly. No technology can ever do away with the need for a flexible, capable, always ready, crisis response force.

--Compass Points “Drones Overhead”

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The topic of drones has generated much discussion online and off. Among the many interesting and thoughtful comments is one from Lt Col Travis Hord, USMC, a student at the Joint Advanced Warfighting School (JAWS) at the National Defense University (The comment has been edited for length and content.).

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Lt Col Travis Hord

This is an important post and a topic easily undervalued if the approach is misunderstood.

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The integration of intelligent robotics and autonomous systems (IRAS) within each element of the MAGTF is not aimed to replace Marines. Rather, through a capabilities-centric approach, the ability to accomplish METs in each functional area is greatly enhanced given the proper integration of a family of uncrewed systems.

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In many ways, the development is parallel to the foundations of the MAGTF's creation. Important in our history, CMC Shepherd in 1954 put forth the first bulletin outlining the creation of the MAGTF. The concept was to enhance amphibious operations by including organic aviation capabilities within a task organized formation with a single commander over the constituent subordinate elements.

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It was a futuristic idea. CMC Shepherd was envisioning a warfighting concept with nascent technologies, namely the helicopter, being employed from ships that did not yet exist. A very forward leaning and arguably controversial concept at the time both internal to the USMC and for the Navy. That concept took 8 years and a lot of refinement, including the conversion of Navy shipping (CVE-90 to CHHA-1 in 1956), to finally be accepted as doctrine through CMC Shoup's signing of MCO 3120.3. Since that point, the MAGTF has evolved over the years providing a responsive "all arms" expeditionary formation - though "all arms" with Shepherd's original bulletin has never been prescriptive.

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Today, the integration of intelligent robotics and autonomous systems (IRAS) aligns with the spirit of enhancing the combined arms capabilities of the MAGTF. Particularly with aerial robotics. Where the "A" in MAGTF is the binding element and typical reason why commanders fight to keep the MAGTF together, organic aerial systems become the lower-case "a" for ground formations. These systems augment the ACE and give ground commanders flexibility to provide internal ISR and striking capabilities that give options to maneuver like Marines have never had before. The systems also contribute to "saving the sortie" for crewed platforms where they are needed most.

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The rub rests in the DOTMLFPF requirements to integrate at scale throughout the total force. Quick Example: The training areas on our bases were designed predominantly between 1941-1943 for a force equipped with the weapons and tactics of the time. Yet the systems being employed today extend the operational reach of squads and platoons many times beyond the length of Camp Lejeune.

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Further, Group-1 systems are treated procedurally the same as crewed aircraft -greatly restricting how they can be used tactically due to not yet updated methods of airspace integration. This is not to mention spectrum fratricide as well as storage and maintenance shortfalls. With all these current barriers it would be easy to understand why the Company Gunny might say, "leave that crap back in the rear." We must get beyond this point smartly to realize what 21st century combined arms truly means.

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Last point and most important point: manpower. Current conflicts around the globe are showing the increased specialization in training needed to achieve outsized effects of formations employing large numbers of IRAS. We have created the 7316 PMOS (sUAS Operator) that trains Marines to employ aerial systems within infantry formations. They are trained within AITB, SOI-East along side and very much integrated with the other advanced infantry courses across the battalion. They spend the majority of their time in the field learning what it takes to put a sensor or munition in time and space to assist a ground scheme of maneuver.

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Videos coming out of Ukraine show unmanned systems destroying tanks or locating and correcting surface indirect fires. What the videos cannot show is the level of training to both operate and maintain the attritable mesh networks and data linkages to accomplish those tasks. Our Marines are doing that type of training today.

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It is quite impressive to see what an infantry platoon grounded in combined arms can achieve when given the tools to make their craft even more deadly. Of course, there are many challenges to overcome, but this is nothing new. To continually make itself better, the MAGTF has overcome challenges from its birth. The previous Commandants who first envisioned the utility of the MAGTF would be proud to see the MAGTF greatly enhanced through the proper integration of a family of uncrewed systems.

--LtCol Travis Hord

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As the Marine Corps begins to rebuild and rebalance the MAGTF, drones and counter-drone technologies will be a continuing topic. Compass Points thanks Lt Col Hord for his fascinating insights and thanks all those working to upgrade and enhance the Marine MAGTF.