The U.S. Marine Corps is pressing forward with a bold logistical transformation that will see drones playing an ever-greater role in resupplying troops, particularly in the challenging and vast expanses of the Pacific. By 2028, every Marine Corps logistics battalion will be equipped with three to six Tactical Resupply Unmanned Aircraft Systems (TRUAS), a move that not only enhances the logistical capacity of the Marines but also reflects a broader strategic effort to adapt military operations to the modern battlefield.
With an ability to carry around 150 pounds up to nine miles, the TRUAS—or TRV-150C—represents a leap forward in terms of delivering emergency rations, ammunition, or water in environments deemed too dangerous for conventional vehicles due to the threat of missile or artillery strikes. “The TRUAS drone is designed for the Marine,” systems engineer Chuck Stouffer noted, emphasizing the drone’s ease of use whereby logistics Marines can learn to operate it in just a few days through a simple process of setting waypoints on an Android-based app.
This initiative is not occurring in a vacuum. The experience of Ukraine and Russia in utilizing autonomous vehicles for resupply underlines the tactical value of such technologies in contemporary conflicts. The Marine Corps itself has historical precedent for using unmanned helicopters, such as the Kaman, to deliver supplies to remote outposts in Afghanistan.
On the horizon, the Corps is also preparing to trial larger, medium-lift drones capable of carrying up to 600 pounds over 25 nautical miles or more, with defense firms Leidos and Kaman developing options to be tested in the summer. “The policy complexity outweighs the technical complexities,” explained Greg Skinner, program manager for Navy and Marine Corps small tactical uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), indicating that existing efforts are paving the way for smooth integration of more sophisticated drone capabilities.
Beyond aerial assets, the Marines are exploring maritime solutions for logistical challenges. The autonomous low-profile vessel (ALPV) and the stern landing vessel are part of these innovative efforts, providing shore-to-shore connectors capable of delivering heavier items that traditional aircraft or ships may not be able to support discreetly. The ALPV’s design, inspired by narco-submarines, reflects a strategic response to the need for stealth and surprise in military logistics.
Assistant Commandant Gen. Christopher Mahoney underscored the importance of logistics in military strategy, stating, “Logistics will stop you in your tracks if you haven’t thought it through, if you don’t have a system that is strong and functioning.” These technological advancements are components of the larger Force Design 2030, a modernization campaign that is reshaping the Marine Corps for future conflicts by adopting multipronged, “multi-model” logistics solutions.
The commitment to technological innovation in logistics underscores a philosophy of adaptability and pragmatism within the Corps. “It needs to be survivable, but I’m not of the school that survivability is a binary choice,” Gen. Mahoney said, speaking on the topic of the new Landing Ship Medium. This approach extends to the Corps’ engagement with autonomous systems. Even as the service embraces unmanned technologies, Mahoney acknowledged the human element of trust that must evolve alongside the machines, saying, “People can be very reluctant, because the confidence level isn’t there.”
With these advancements, the military is poised to maintain a strategic edge, ensuring that the flow of critical supplies to troops, even in the most contested environments, continues unimpeded.
Relevant articles:
– Marine Corps set to field resupply drones to all logistics battalions by 2028, Defense One
– Marines expect ‘big year’ for drone, ship and logistics testing, Marine Corps Times
– Marines see progress with drones, despite flat budgets, defenseone.com
– Future soldier resupply could rely on AI-powered logistics, robo-boats, C4ISRNet