Marines draw up wish list for UAS

The Marine Corps wants to expand the capabilities of two unmanned aerial systems still in the early stages of planning, reports Aviation Week.

The first is notionally called the Group 4 UAS, the first of its kind as the Marine Corps shifts from its old “tiered” system of classifying into new groups, according to Maj. Thomas Heffern, of the service's UAS Capabilities Office. He spoke Feb. 3 at the AUVSI’s annual Program Review conference in Washington.

Group 4 would likely be the only one of its kind solely procured by the amphibious-assault-oriented service, and thereby optimized for its future mission needs. The system's mission isn't yet defined, but it is possible it could pick up some electronic warfare, electronic surveillance and - possibly - electronic attack missions after the retirement of the EA-6B, Heffern said.

The Corps is also exploring a requirement for a future cargo lift system that might be shipboard capable. The Office of Naval Research and other military labs have released a myriad of requests for information on this capability, but Heffern said various options are on the table.