US MARINE CORPS WEAPONS: THE M27 TAKES AIM AT DRONES


By bblouin
U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion 8th Marine Regiment fire the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle during a live-fire weapons exercise at range F-18 on Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 8, 2017 using US Marine Corps weapons.

War keeps changing, so the American Armed Forces keeps evolving. Drones are more common now and the USMC is looking to up its game against them. Specifically, by improving the function of its standard issue, M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR). US Marine Corps weapons are exploring multiple options to fight back against drone attacks.

US Marine Corps Weapons Need Improvements to Fight Drones

Advanced optics, ammunition similar to buckshot, and electronic warfare attachments are all on the table for US Marine Corps weapons. This is following a rise in drone warfare. Not only is the Marine Corps Systems Command preparing to improve its troops and rifles against present threats but larger ones may present themselves in the future. The idea is to find attachments and improvements for the USMC’s standard-issue rifle, the M27. While Devil Dogs need new-age equipment, such as GPS jammers and optics that can track drones, the Marines are also taking into consideration the logistics with a focus on how much additional weight this would mean. You can’t just throw everything you can think of at US Marine Corps weapons because then, on top of already heavy equipment, troops may have too many bulky, heavy items to contend with. Nevertheless, improvements are still necessary in a world that continues to push unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to new areas of war.

The History of Drone Warfare

The first use of UAVs as weaponry came from Austria in 1849. Protesters in Venice were attacked by the government who used the first drones to drop explosive balloons down below. Early pilotless vehicles, like Britain's Aerial Target and America's Kettering Bug, were developed during World War I but were not used in combat. However, these advancements helped set the stage for Vietnam. UAVs became widely common for reconnaissance during the Vietnam War. They were also used as decoys, missile launchers, and for psychological operations. After the war, more countries developed advanced drones with better endurance and height capabilities. Today, drones perform various tasks, including climate monitoring, search and rescue, photography, filming, and deliveries. However, their most controversial use remains in the military for surveillance and targeted attacks. Since 9/11, the U.S. has greatly increased drone use, especially in areas too dangerous for troops. The Global War on Terror has proven that ethical dilemmas aside, drones are effective and the world has taken notice. Now, the United States is facing increasingly sophisticated drone attacks and needs weapons to combat them. Drones offer several key benefits in warfare, as listed above, which is why more militaries, big and small, are utilizing them. They are also cheaper to produce and operate than traditional aircraft, making them a cost-effective tool for battle. Just like Devil Dogs, you’ll notice that drone warfare is effectively at use both on land and at sea. This further amplifies the need for US Marine Corps weapons capable of fighting back against drones, as they are already facing an increased number of such attacks where they operate.

Improving US Marine Corps Weapons Against Drones

Who and what is joining the US Marine Corps weapons to combat drones is still under consideration; however, some frontrunners may be up to the task. The SMASH 2000L fire control system from SMARTSHOOTER has been tested by the USMC since 2021 and improves accuracy by allowing those using an M27 to lock on to incoming drones. In addition to buckshot rounds for M27s, other types of ammo are necessary for the branch’s M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System, M2 .50-caliber machine guns, and 40mm grenade launchers. Shotguns, rifles, and machine guns are all undergoing tests in the growing list of US Marine Corps weapons against drones. However, details still remain a bit hush-hush. Suggested reads:


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