US Marines, Coast Guard Launch Small UAS

US Marines and Coast Guard members recently conducted a demonstration of a small unmanned aircraft system.

The Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) member launched an RQ-20A Puma unmanned aircraft during an exercise near Camp Lejeune on August 12. The U.S. Coast Guard and MARSOC joined forces to demonstrate the ability to launch and recover the Puma, RQ-12A Wasp IV, and InstantEye vertical takeoff and landing UAS from the Coast Guard’s smallest boats.

These battery-powered, hand-launched systems provide real-time, day and night reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition.

The Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office (PMA-263), located at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., manages the procurement of small UAS for the Navy and Marine Corps.

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Image: US Navy